Air Malta has been appointed the Official Carrier of this year’s Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) Conference. Journalists from around the world have flown to Malta to attend the 9th CJA Conference. This year’s conference focuses on the impact of technology and the future of the Commonwealth. The delegates will be addressed by Sir Alan Haselhurst, Sir Ron Sanders, Vijay Krishnayaran (Deputy Director, Commonwealth Foundation), Steve Cutts (Deputy Secretary General), and Manoah Esipisu (Deputy Director of Communications, Commonwealth Secretariat).
“What better place to have a discussion on the impact of technology than in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, Malta,” said Bryan Cantley, Executive Director of the CJA.
“In a year when the Arab Spring was major news, journalists know democracy is at a crossroads. Therefore, it’s fitting that the 9th CJA conference takes place in Malta – a country that has long been a strategic crossroad in history,” added Cantley.
“The CJA is excited to have an opportunity to stage its big triennial event in Malta, and we’re delighted to partner with Air Malta as our official carrier,” concluded Mr Cantley.
Commenting on this conference, Philip Saunders, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Malta said, “We will keep doing our utmost to promote Malta around the world and continue in our drive to boost tourist arrivals to the islands. Assisting the organizers in bringing over such a prestigious conference to Malta is part of our strategy to reach this goal”.
“The success of attracting these conferences is also possible thanks to the support given by the Malta Tourism Authority who together with the airline invests heavily to promote Malta. These types of events are also intended to generate more business to the islands,” said Mr. Saunders.
The CJA was founded as a non-governmental organization in 1978 following a conference in Halifax, Canada. Since then it has hosted conferences around the Commonwealth, including in Namibia, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Malaysia.
The CJA, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, represents journalists some of them struggling in hostile or repressive conditions. It offers moral influence in speaking for journalists throughout the Commonwealth and defending their interests. It also offers training courses in basic reporting, environmental journalism, election reporting, and financial analysis.