Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1060184
20 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 DECEMBER 2018 COMMERCIAL MAPFRE launches Insur_Space to assist Insuretech starters MAPFRE unveiled Insur_ Space, a new Insurtech accel- erator, with the intention of developing new solutions in order to meet the needs of dif- ferent types of client. Insur_Space is one of the pil- lars of MAPFRE Open Inno- vation (MOI), the innovation platform which the company launched this year to drive in- novation both at MAPFRE and within the insurance industry. In Malta, MAPFRE is repre- sented by MAPFRE Middlesea and MAPFRE MSV Life. "Our objective with MOI" explained Antonio Huertas, chairman and CEO of MAP- FRE, during the presentation of the new space, "is to be- come a global benchmark in innovation in Insurtech and to progress toward the new business models and solutions emerging from the digital and technological changes we are witnessing". MAPFRE will allocate more than 100 million euros each year towards the development of innovative insurance-re- lated solutions, which will be combined with the 600 mil- lion-euro annual technology investment, ensuring the com- pany is adequately positioned to tackle new challenges. A total of 19 start-ups are al- ready working in Insur_Space through two development programs: acceleration and adoption. The first focuses on helping entrepreneurs with an innovative idea to get their business model off the ground, while the second is aimed at start-ups that already have a mature proposal and need help and mentoring to consolidate their business. This innovation also in- cludes a collaborative model with universities and business schools for the joint develop- ment of innovative projects, as well as an investment vehicle for teaming up with private equity companies that invest in innovation in the insurance world. In connection with this, MAPFRE recently announced its participation as an anchor investor in the "Alma Mundi Insurtech Fund, FCRE" private equity fund, focusing exclu- sively on the Insurtech space, in which MAPFRE will invest 25 million euros. MAPFRE's intrapreneur- ship program, Innova, also falls within strategic innova- tion. The initiative is aimed at company employees who form teams of 2-3 people to pre- sent innovative ideas for the company to execute, with the company providing the neces- sary resources for employees to build out the winning solu- tions. The decision has also been taken to integrate CESVIMAP into MAPFRE Open Inno- vation. For some years now, MAPFRE's Centre for Experi- mentation and Road Safety (CESVIMAP) has been a glob- al benchmark for research into vehicular damage accident re- pair methodologies. MAPFRE Middlesea p.l.c. (C-5553) is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Au- thority to carry on both Long Term and General Business under the Insurance Business Act, Cap 403 of the Laws of Malta. MAPFRE MSV Life p.l.c. is authorised by the Malta Finan- cial Services Authority to carry on Long Term Business under the Insurance Business Act, Cap 403 of the Laws of Malta. Embracing sustainable development goals through creative arts ESPLORA Interactive Science Centre, a department within the Malta Council for Science and Technology, has launched a three-year Erasmus+ project 'C-SDGs; Embracing the Sustainable Develop- ment Goals through Creative Arts'. The project is a strategic partnership action co-funded under the Erasmus+ programme. The launch took place at Esplora on Monday 26 and Tues- day 27 November 2018 by means of a transnational meeting between project partners. The project is a collabora- tion between four Maltese organisa- tions (The Malta Council for Science and Technology, University of Malta, Lignin Stories and Fondazzjoni Ċentru Kreattività) and four organisations based in Europe, acting as their inter- national counterpart (Copernicus Sci- ence Centre, Poland; Picapipe, Austria; Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books, UK and OFF Alapit- vany, Hungary). The project is running from November 2018 to August 2021 and will address the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on three in particular: #4 Quality Edu- cation, #5 Gender Equality and #14 Life Below Water. Three Creative Art forms - Digital Games, Storytelling and Dance - will be used to raise awareness on these global issues through informal and inno- vative methods of learning. The partner organisations will have the opportunity to explore scientific concepts through creative forms by transcending traditional barriers and by sharing best practice during train- ing opportunities developed through the project and transnational meet- ings. The resources developed as a result of this partnership will be freely available for everyone to download and will also be exhibited in the two science centres involved in the project; Esplora in Mal- ta and Copernicus in Poland. Educa- tors, artists and science communicators will be given the opportunity to attend workshops on how to use the resources developed so that they can subsequently be utilised with students in their class- room. The public will have the opportunity to discover more about the selected SDGs in an informal environment through the use of Storytelling, Dance and Digital Games at Esplora Interactive Science Centre through public engagement events which will be organised in 2021. Esplora's first Erasmus+ project RAISE has just started its second year of imple- mentation and will be focusing on tack- ling stereotypes often associated with STEM careers. Project partners will be working on de- veloping an app to raise awareness and interest in STEM careers. This will be freely downloadable to the general pub- lic in 2020. For more information on the project, one can follow the project's Facebook page 'RAISE Project' or visit the project website on https://raiseprojecteu.com/ AT a press conference held yesterday at the Esplora Inter- active Science Centre, Kalkara, the campaign for 'GawGaw a Panto in the Dark' Teatru Mal- ta's latest and final production for 2018, was launched. The event was made possible with the support and collabo- ration of Esplora, Interactive Science Centre, il-Premju tal- President, Arts Council Malta, CRPD and LESA. Written and directed by Mar- ta Vella and Vikesh Godhwani 'GawGaw a Panto in the Dark', is certainly going to be a treat to all those who are tired of the conventional and are looking to experience something com- pletely different to anything that's been done not just for Christmas but in Malta. This is a National First that's happen- ing in complete darkness and together with the endorsement of Her Excellency the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca we're honoured to an- nounce that this production will focus on the inclusion and involvement of the visually im- paired, because Panto is every- one's to enjoy. The Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology, Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said "we aim to make a difference at a local level by tackling these lacunae. In fact, in line with the Nation- al Disability Strategy, Esplora held a number of initiatives to make the visitor-experience as inclusive as possible." He add- ed that "Esplora prides itself in ranking first among the ap- plicants for this years' Premju tal-President għall-Kreattivita' funding scheme with an art and technology project showcas- ing what happens when the the blind and the sighted are placed in a level sensory playing field." Artistic Director of Teatru Malta, Sean Buhagiar said: "GawGaw is a project that warms the cockles of our heart, and not because it's Christmas. It is meant to shake the local system when it comes to thea- tre accessibility, where it is not an afterthought but part of the creative process. I believe the binaural sounds of our panto in dark will echo on a European level. It is also an eerily fun pro- ject. This is exactly the kind of theatre we want to create." The Maltese myth of the Gaw- Gaw is brought to life through the sound design of Mario Sammut as well as the voices of its stellar cast including Chucky Bartolo as Dame joined by the talents of Samuel Farrugia as Principal Boy, Davinia Hamil- ton and Joseph Zammit. Due to its specific nature seat- ing for this production is very limited so think ahead and be aware that this show is an hour long and will be staged in com- plete darkness. GAWGAW is supported by Esplora, Inter- active Science Centre, CRPD, il-Premju tal-President, Arts Council Malta and LESA. Visit teatrumalta.org.mt or call 21220255 for bookings and more information about even- ing shows and matinees. 'Gaw Gaw a Panto in the Dark' launched at Esplora