INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE”

The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest institutions in Western Europe and Christianity in general. Founded in 1048 in Jerusalem,  the Sovereign Order of Malta is the lay religious order of the Catholic Church and since 1113 is the sovereign subject of international law. Maintains diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries, being also a permanent observer status at United Nations  and  the  Eropean  Union.  Adhering  to  the  principle  of  neutrality,  impartiality  and apoliticality, the Sovereign Order of Malta is currently active in more than 120 countries, providing assistance to those in need not only through various medical, social and humanitarian projects but also actively working trough the concept of the “humanitarian diplomacy”.

 The  Order's  humanitarian  diplomacy  includes  "advocacy",  "negotiation",  "communication", "formal agreements" and all the other measures that enable dialogue to build bridges and maintain peace between peoples and governments.

In the difficult context of the war in the Ukraine, considering humanitarian diplomacy as one of the possible and necessary tools for dialogue aimed at peace, on the occasion of the celebration of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the Sovereign Order of Malta, on 4^th  of July the Embassy  of  the  Order  of  Malta  to  Ukraine  is  organizing  the  International  Conference  – “Humanitarian diplomacy in the Context of the War in Ukraine". The central objective of the event is to discuss additional avenues and initiatives of diplomatic intervention and communication that can be undertaken to achieve peace in Ukraine.

 The event was be attended by representatives of the Government of the Sovereign Order of Malta, representatives of governmental structures and authorities of Ukraine, in particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine,, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health, members of diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations accredited in Ukraine, representatives of churches and religious communities, academic and educational spheres, partners and international guests. Representatives of Ukrainian and international structures of the Malteser Relief Service will also attend the event.