The University of Malta officially launched its Centre for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution on Tuesday, 22 May. The launch was presided over by the Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella, who in his introductory remarks highlighted the dual mission of the Centre.

Professor Vella explained that the Centre would seek both to enhance research in the academic discipline of conflict resolution as well as serving to strengthen conflict resolution practice in and from Malta. The Rector also highlighted that collaborating with local and international NGOs and academic centres would be an important component of the Centre's work. In fact, the Centre was established in close cooperation with the George Mason University's School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, the oldest and largest such institution in the USA.

As part of the launch Professor Richard E. Rubenstein from the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution delivered a lecture entitled, A Global Context for Malta's Centre for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution. In his lecture Professor Rubenstein emphasised developments in the conflict resolution field and in world society that, at this point of conjuncture, make the founding of the Centre a highly significant event. He concluded that Malta is the ideal place for an institution that is devoted to the practice of conflict resolution.