To mark its 10th anniversary, AEGEE (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe), a forum of European students, will hold an “AGORA” in Malta. This will be held between 26 and 29 April.

AEGEE is the largest pan-European network of students, with 17,000 members and spanning more than 270 antennae in European university cities.

The AGORA is AEGEE – Europe’s biannual general meeting, at which hundreds of students from all over the continent meet to discuss the direction that AEGEE – Europe will take over the next six months.

During the launch of the AGORA Valletta 2007, Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said AEGEE – Valletta is giving a strong contribution towards the lives of students both in Malta and in Europe. It is bringing together students from 40 European countries through its activities.

The minister explained how students who met in a democratic environment boosted cooperation and promoted peace in Europe and the world. Dr Zammit Dimech said the organisation also contributed to tourism, as around 1,000 students were currently enrolled at the University of Malta. These, he said, could be considered as permanent tourists.

Another important niche in our tourism, said Dr Zammit Dimech, was the English language teaching for foreign students. The National Statistics Office showed that in 2004, 55,578 students came to Malta, while in 2005 they increased to over 61,607 and last year’s figures showed an influx of 67,000 students.

For information about the AEGEE spring AGORA, visit the official event website: www.agoravalletta2007.org.