PRESS CALL

MOAS X Change: Facing 2016

Migrant Offshore Aid Station hosts high level debate on the future of migration

You are invited to send a reporter and camera crew to cover the event. Press will get the chance to:  Follow our panel discussion on the challenges of global migration and the impact on Europe.  Visit the MOAS Search and Rescue vessel, the M.Y. Phoenix  Possibility to interview the MOAS crew, founders Christopher & Regina Catrambone, debate panellists, and other distinguished guests.  The event will be live streamed, log in on our website for details

Date: Friday 27th May 2016 Time: 9:00am – 14:30 (Central European Time Zone) Venue: Maritime Museum, Birgu, Malta

Please confirm attendance through [email protected] or 356-7990-0097

What will happen to Migration to Europe in the coming months? Our debate gathers experts in migration from , Libya, UK, Italy and Malta across the sectors of journalism, culture, research and academia. Shall we expect a shifting sea routes in the next months? Is the route from Egypt to Italy reopening?

For the past two decades, the Central Mediterranean has been the main and deadliest maritime migratory route for hundreds of people fleeing war, persecution and economic deprivation. In 2015, the world has been largely focused on the Aegean Sea, which became the route of choice for Syrian refugees making the dangerous crossing from to Greece. Following the EU-Turkey deal, the situation has changed dramatically. Although in March 2016, Italy has reported an increase of 300% arrivals from Libya, numbers in April decreased compared with last year.

Panellists and VIP guests include:

 President of the Republic of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro  Malek Jandali, world-renowned and pianist, Founder of for Peace  Nando Sigona, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of the Institute of Research into Superdiversity, University of Birmingham  Sami Zaptia, Managing Editor, Libya Herald  Cecilia Strada, President, Emergency  Alganesh Fessaha, President, Gandhi Foundation  Mark Micallef, Editor, Migrant Report

Schedule:

09.00 – 09.30 Doors open 09.30 – 11.00 Panel debate: ‘MOAS X Change: Facing 2016’ 11.15 – 11.45 Musical interlude by world-renowned composer/pianist Malek Jandali 11.45 – 12:45 Opportunity to visit the MY Phoenix and to interview the MOAS search and rescue crew, panellists and guests.

Who is MOAS?

MOAS is an international NGO registered in Malta. Since late 2014, MOAS has used the M.Y. Phoenix to locate and rescue over 13,500 people along the world’s deadliest migrant routes, the sea. After becoming the first private rescue operation in the Mediterranean, Through the M.Y. Phoenix, MOAS became the first private rescue operation in the Mediterranean and in 2015 spurred other NGOs and the EU to respond directly to the mass casualties off the Libyan Coast. In 2016, MOAS expanded its operations to the Aegean and Andaman sea, saving people in what is the deadliest year on record for migrant drownings in the region.

Further Information:

MOAS: [email protected], +356-7990-0097, www.moas.eu