Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534411
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 APRIL 2025 NEWS A contemporary rendition of the luzzu, the conch and spirals etched in the megalithic temples are the visual identity of Malta's presidency of the Council of Eu- rope. The logo, which reproduces the letters 'CE' for Council of Europe, was designed by Shelley Borg, a second-year MCAST student studying for a degree in graphic design. The colours of the logo are in- spired by the yellow sun, the blue sea and the red in Malta's flag. The logo was unveiled on Tues- day by Foreign Minister Ian Borg, during an event at the Medi- terranean Conference Centre where Malta's priorities for the six-month presidency were em- phasised. Shelley Borg's design was select- ed through a competition that saw the participation of 17 stu- dents from MCAST's Institute for the Creative Arts under the tutorship of their lecturers. The logo captures traditional characteristics of the Maltese is- lands and blends them into a con- temporary identity of a vibrant is- land rooted in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta will be taking over the presidency of the Council of Eu- rope on 14 May. The rotating presidency will last until Novem- ber. With the Council of Europe counting 46 countries in its fold, the opportunity to lead the com- mittee of ministers arises once every 23 years. Malta's COE pres- idency coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Convention of Human Rights and comes hot on the heels of its membership in the UN Security Council and its pres- idency of the OSCE. Malta's priorities for its six- month stint are: The protection of children from abuse and sex- ual exploitation both offline and online; ensuring the voices of young people be heard; the fight against violence and discrimina- tion with a particular spotlight on violence against women; the fight against human trafficking and hate speech; and the promotion of inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community. The political programme will include three ministerial confer- ences being held in Valletta for ministers responsible for chil- dren, young people and justice. Malta will also host IDAHOT+ forum on 20 May in line with its commitment to strengthen LGB- TIQ rights. The Maltese presidency will also be responsible for the cele- brations to mark 75 years of the Convention of Human Rights and 35 years of the Venice Com- mission. The presidency will concur- rently be presenting a cultural programme curated by Sean Bu- hagiar that will include perfor- mances and concerts in Malta, Strasbourg and the Notre Dame Cathedral in France. MCAST student designs logo for Malta's Council of Europe presidency BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE BE EXCLUSIVE REGISTER YOUR DESIGN BEFORE YOU MAKE IT PUBLIC IL-GVERN TA' MALTA ·½ĊėþĤࢫn{§§࣒H̷̽ࢷࢫ§࣒½ėþöþŧ ĤࢫöþÌtHėėࢫĊėþėHt4 REGISTER YOUR DESIGN KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt