Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/587664
Events 48 maltatoday, Sunday, 18 OctOber 2015 Malta: The focal point for the European Central Bank's European Cultural Days 2015 The Maltese Islands will present an extensive and varied pro- gramme in Frankfurt from 3 November, including a spectacu- lar opening concert by interna- tionally renowned tenor Joseph Calleja Malta's vibrant cultural scene will be placed firmly in the in- ternational spotlight from next month, with the launch of the island's european Cultural Days programme in Frankfurt am Main – the seat of the european Central Bank (eCB). hosted annually by the eCB, the european Cultural Days ini- tiative highlights the european Union's rich and varied array of cultures by focusing on a differ- ent eU country's cultural scene every year. Malta was chosen for 2015, and follows on from Bul- garia in 2014, Latvia in 2013 and France in 2012. "europe's self-image has a lot to do with individuality and self- determination," says President of the eCB Mario Draghi. "Working together to enhance awareness of a country's cultural heritage that is part of our roots and our iden- tity, offers a good opportunity to educate and prepare future gener- ations who will have a key role in strengthening cohesiveness and community spirit and in deciding the way in which european insti- tutions will develop. The mission of the european Cultural Days fully meets this aim," he says. each year the eCB organises the european Cultural Days pro- gramme in conjunction with the relevant country's national cen- tral bank. Thus, the Central Bank of Malta has been the catalyst for the development of the dynamic programme being presented. Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, Professor Josef Bonnici, says: "This initiative presents a unique opportunity for Malta to really showcase its developing cultural scene. We are thrilled to have this chance to share our her- itage with the people of Frankfurt, and look forward to presenting a diverse programme of events in- cluding music, theatre, dance, opera and the visual arts." Malta's programme will kick- start on 3 November, featur- ing a concert by internationally renowned tenor Joseph Calleja and the Malta Philharmonic Or- chestra, under the direction of conductor Brian Schembri at the famous Alte Oper Theatre in the heart of the city. Other musi- cal events will include those by sopranos Lydia Caruana, Claire Ghigo and Gillian Zammit, vio- linist Carmine Lauri, sound art- ist and performer Renzo Spiteri, concerts by the Cosmos Wind ensemble, the Big Band Brothers and the Dominic Galea Jazztet, and a party hosted by top DJ Miss Roberta. There will also be showcases from other artistic media, includ- ing national contemporary dance company ŻfinMalta, exhibitions from photographer Daniel Cilia and stone sculptor Joe Xuereb, a literary performance, a play di- rected by Albert Marshall, and talks by historians Professor An- thony Bonanno, Professor Denis De Lucca and Professor Keith Sci- berras. The programme will close in February 2016. "We believe that each of the ar- tistic elements featured will en- able the citizens of Frankfurt and their myriad international visi- tors to learn more about what the Maltese islands have to offer, and perhaps even visit us in the near future. We may be the smallest country in the Union but we have priceless cultural treasures to be proud of," concludes Bonnici. PKF Malta's partner Donna Greaves and Assurance specialist Gabriella Gafa will be attending a three-day intensive Solvency II based insurance training in Lon- don which will be held from 6 till 8 of October, 2015 at PKF Little- John Chartered Accountants. The subjects being discussed include insurance balance sheet audit including overview of key audit risks for intangible and tan- gible assets, investments, cash, debtors and creditors. Other top- ics include claims recovery, capi- tal modeling under SII, internal model vs standard formula, key principles and techniques used for modelling, insurance interme- diaries - general audit, accounting and disclosure and Insurance In- termediary - Client Money Audit. PKF Malta is optimistic about the future of the growth of the insurance industry under the new Solvency II regime and looks for- ward to continue servicing local and international clients . For enquiries please contact Anna Golis on agolis@pkfmalta. com PKF Malta executives attending top insurance audit methodology training in London Newer medicines can lead to cost savings, freeing up of hospital beds heALThCARe systems are not, as so often misunderstood, a drag on resources, but rather part of improving the quality of life and prosperity of a society. The re- lationship between healthcare systems, personal health and in- dividual wealth is complex yet inextricably linked. Investing in a functional healthcare system in a cost-effective manner contributes to the ultimate goal of the well be- ing of the Maltese society. This is the firm belief of the Pharmaceutical Research–Based Industry Malta Association, known as PRIMA, whose primary mission is to promote pharmaceu- tical discovery and development in Malta and to bring to the mar- ket medicinal products in order to improve human health locally. Mario Sciberras, President of PRIMA, said, "Rather than a drain on the Maltese economy, when properly implemented, a health- care system can be seen to be a productive sector. This, in turn, compels a re-examination of concerns about the financial vi- ability of our healthcare system. Increased spending on effective healthcare can be one of the driv- ers of a more productive economy, while achieving higher levels of societal well-being". "As PRIMA, our priority is ac- cess to medicines for patients in Malta, and therefore we welcome the inclusion of new medicines on the Government Formulary List (GFL). Timely access to innovative medications is listed in the eU charter for patients` rights. "If our country is to abide with eU legislation, Malta should as- certain that patients in Malta have access to new medicines according to set timelines" said Sciberras. Whilst locally, the availability of medicines on the government for- mulary has improved, it is a fact that when comparing formularies across europe, there are numerous innovative medicines available to other eU citizens which are not available to patients in Malta. Innovative medicines are often misconceived as a cost rather than as an investment. Whilst cost containment has become top pri- ority in most healthcare systems, it is a dangerous approach to the holistic management of a health- care system. PRIMA's President explained how certain innovative medicines show better health outcomes re- sulting in a significant indirect cost saving for Malta's healthcare system. Benefits include a de- crease in emergency admissions, a reduction in the number of in- patient referrals, and a decline in disease-associated complications. "In turn, this results in freeing up hospital beds which, as everyone knows, is a huge cost burden to our healthcare system," he said. healthy citizens contribute posi- tively to society, form a productive workforce and require less health care, both acute and long term. In this regard, PRIMA's focal point is to ensure that patients have access to the latest medicines that are of the highest standard possible and that are used as mainstay treat- ment in other european coun- tries. Furthermore, including newer medicines on the country's for- mulary provides an important and essential incentive for research and development pharmaceuti- cal companies to invest in further research, leading to more medi- cines that improve the therapeutic management of diseases. In turn, this will result in better health- care outcomes for all strata of the Maltese society. Mario Sciberras, President of PRIMA Conference to address Gozitan's aspirations in Europe DIFFeReNT sectors of Gozo's civil society are participating in a Conference entitled 'Gozitans' Aspirations in europe'. This conference will serve as a plat- form for representatives of Stu- dent Organisations, the Youth Organisations, the Voluntary Organisations, the tourism and industrial sectors in Gozo to express their opinions and con- cerns on today's new socio-eco- nomic realities in Gozo and their aspirations for the future - more than a decade after Malta's entry into the european Union. The Gozo University Group (Għaqda Universitarji Għawdxin), the Gozo Regional Youth Coun- cil, the NGOs Association, dis- tinguished local entrepreneurs together with a flagship in the permanent tourism sector are taking part in this Conference. The conference, organised by the Office of Alfred Sant, MeP, and the S&D Group, is being held at Ta' Ċenċ hotel, Sannat, Gozo on Friday 26 October 2015. Registration opens at 6.30pm. The Conference starts at 7.00pm. The general public is invited to attend. No fee will be charged. Those wishing to attend can contact Dr. Sant's Office on email address info@alfredsant.eu or phone number 21490705. A reception will follow the con- ference. PKF Malta partner Donna Greaves