U.S. Embassy in Malta

U.S. Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Supports Human Rights and Bilateral Democratic Values

The U.S. Embassy is proud to announce that the U.S. government’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) awarded $17,900 to three Maltese alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to implement a project that will empower the Malta Refugee Council.

Since its inception in 2011, the U.S. Department of State has funded over 500 AEIF projects, which are led by alumni of U.S. government exchanges, to increase regional and global collaboration of alumni, support U.S. foreign policy objectives, and benefit communities around the world.

Dr. Neil Falzon, Dr. Maria Pisani, and Dr. Katrine Camilleri, who are all alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), teamed up to create a series of training sessions and activities that will increase the impact of the Malta Refugee Council as an advocate for refugee rights and instill public discourse on refugees with messages of solidarity, positivity, and humanity.

Reacting to the award, a U.S. Department of State Spokesperson announced, “The United States and Malta have a long and positive history of bilateral exchanges and collaboration on many issues, including important human rights issues.  We are delighted that our alumni’s efforts have been recognized. The impact of their humanitarian work is immeasurable, and the U.S. Department of State duly acknowledges that.”

The U.S. Embassy was proud to join our alumni and local NGOs to mark World Refugee Day during the “March for Peace” on Tuesday, June 20 in Valletta.