Valetta

In early September, members of the U40 network were in Malta for an international conference addressing cultural relations in the EuroMed area held in Malta by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the organisation responsible for the hosting of the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Christine Merkel, cultural expert, and Anna Steinkamp, coordinator of the network, were in Malta to present their views about the state of the Convention, speak about networking possibilities and reflect on the challenges faced by initiatives favouring intercultural dialogue in Europe and the Mediterranean. They exchanged views with a number of other high profile speakers from the EuroMed area. In so doing, they contributed to an ongoing discussion regarding the role of Europe, and in particular the European Capital of Culture, in supporting cultural collaboration on an international scale.