Invitation Package I I

secse13@mmsa.org.mt

www.mmsa.org.mt/secse-13

foreword Dear all,

It is with great pleasure that I invite you, on behalf of the Malta Medical Students’ Association

(MMSA) to the first edition of the Southern European Cooperation on Sexual Education (SECSE)

Conference this September.

It is a great honour for me to be the president of the organising committee for this event. This event

is one which presents me with the opportunity not only to work with the IFMSA and with members

from all over Europe, but it is also gives me the satisfaction of seeing through a project which has

been in the pipeline for a quite some time. Moreover, the work done by the IFMSA’s Standing

Committee on Reproductive Health including AIDS is very close to heart and I am very happy that

once more I will be able to contribute to this standing committee and to its amazing members.

What is more it is always a pleasure meeting IFMSA members in different corners of the globe, but

more so when you are welcoming them to your home country.

We have chosen the theme of Sexual Health and Migration for the first edition of SECSE. Malta’s

position in the heart of the Mediterranean, between the continents of Africa and Europe makes it a

perfect hub to discuss this topic and share our views and local situations on issues such as asylum

seekers and sexual health, STI epidemiology, female genital mutilation and sexual migration.

Besides this, the MMSA also has an established Standing Committee on Peer Education and

Training (SCOPET) within its structure, and therefore peer education is always a top priority for the

MMSA.

Once again I would like to extend our invitation to this first edition of SECSE, and to our island

nation. We can promise you an experience which will not only be of great value to your work

within your NMO, but an admixture of Maltese culture and a social programme that will leave you

wanting more.

Keith Pace

SECSE OC President 2013 I

Secse oc

OC President

Keith Pace

Logistics Coordinator

Matthew Valentino

Leisure Coordinator

Julian Agius

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Secse oc

Public Relations Coordinator

Matthew Baldacchino

Sessions Coordinator

Fabrizia Cassar

Financial Coordinator

Martina Papa

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SECSE advisory board Hello SECSE friends!

Welcome to sunny Malta! We are very excited to host the first ever SECSE in Malta this

September. IFMSA has been so influential for the MMSA that we felt that it is high time to

give back by sharing this new opportunity with other Southern European countries. MMSA-

Malta has a very strong National Peer Education and Training (NPET) standing committee

and this is one of the reasons for applying to host SECSE. We believe that as an NMO

we can help with the facilitation of sessions and methods exchange whilst also creating the

perfect atmosphere for ideas and discussions to flourish!

Our job as the Advisory Board is to oversee that SECSE is planned and organised to the

best of its abilities and ensuring its smooth running throughout the three day event. All three

of us have vast experience in the MMSA as well as the IFMSA, and our goal is to make

sure that delegates from our neighbouring countries make the most of our beautiful island

whilst giving them the opportunity to help us kick-start SECSE!

Looking forward to meeting you all very soon!

SECSE 2013 Advisory Board

Robert Cachia MMSA

President 2013-2014)

Phoebe Debono MMSA

NORA 2013-2014)

Thelma Xerri (MMSA VPi

2013-2014)

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registration The registration process will begin on the 1st July with the early registrations until the 12th July. Late

registration will last from the 12th July until 30th July. Observers (from any NMO) and session

facilitators (representing NECSE) are bound by the same registration policies.

The following Southern European NMOs are eligible to send delegates to SECSE 2013:

i. AECS (Catalonia)

ii. ANEMF (France)

iii. CroMSIC (Croatia)

iv. HelMSIC (Greece)

v. IFMSA-Spain (Spain)

vi. MMSA (Malta)

vii. PorMSIC (Portugal)

viii. SISM (Italy)

ix. SloMSIC (Slovenia)

x. TurkMSIC (Turkey)

Each NMO will be entitled to a total number of four delegates each.

The registration link can be found below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Duekb400FbiED_5_N8n26u0x2HEO-mCKtOavX-

T3Jjg/viewform

The registration process will take place as follows:

i. Interested applicants fill in the form

ii. The applications are compared to information from national selection by the NMO’s

NORA

iii. If the applicant corresponds to national selection they will receive a confirmatory email

from the OC containing information on payment details and the Transport Form.

iv. Once the payment is successful and the transport form is filled in the applicants will receive

the final confirmation email to bring to SECSE

The registration coordinators are Giulia Magro and Daniela Zammit. For more information,

contact secseregistration@mmsa.org.mt or secse13@mmsa.org.mt

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accomodation The accommodation for SECSE will be at the four-star Bella Vista Hotel located in Qawra, a small

north-eastern town on the main island of Malta. The price for the 3 nights will be €120 for early

registration and €150 for late registrations.

The price includes full-board meals i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, and one coffee break. Some of the

facilities offered by the hotel and rooms include:

i. Rooms:

a. TV

b. Cooler (at an additional cost)

c. Wi-Fi (at an additional cost)

d. Hairdryer

e. AC

f. Fan

g. Safe (at an additional cost)

ii. Hotel:

a. Complimentary Wi-Fi (in common areas)

b. Outdoor and indoor swimming pools

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For more information visit the hotel website: http://www.bellavistahotelmalta.com/

For further amenities and facilities, visit the link below:

http://www.bellavistahotelmalta.com/BellaVistaHotel/BellaVistaHotel/HotelFacilities/tabid/220

/language/en-US/Default.aspx

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sessions In order to accommodate your needs and comfort the SECSE13 OC has ensured that the sessions

will be held at the Bella Vista Hotel itself. Two large well equipped halls and an outdoor park will

be utilised during the sessions and themed events.

This year’s themed events will focus on Sexual Migration and Health, a topic which has sparked

much controversy in Southern Europe. In order to ensure a directed discussion a number of

prominent local speakers will be invited to discuss sexual immigration. Peer-education sessions will

also be hosted with the guidance of a team of NECSE coordinators and our local NMO.

Peer-education is a delicate topic worldwide which has been well developed by our local NMO,

the Malta Medical Student’s Organisation (MMSA) which embodies many topics and techniques

which we strive to update on a yearly basis, and now has a fully-fledged standing committee

(SCOPET).

SECSE runs from Saturday 14th September until Tuesday 20th September. The provisional agenda

is as follows and is subject to change. A finalised agenda will be sent at a later date:

Day 1: 14th September

14:00 Check-in

16:00-17:00 How we want our SECSE to be

18:00-22:00 Valletta tour + Opening Ceremony

22:00 Social programme

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Day 2: 15 September 2013

08.00 - 09.00 Breakfast

09.00 - 09.30 Division of groups - explain how this SECSE will be

09.30 - 10.30 Method exchange

10.30 - 11.30 Method Exchange

11.30 - 12.30 Method exchange

12.30 - 14.00 Lunch

14.00 - 15.30 Method Exchange

15.30 - 16.00 coffee break

16.00 - 17.30 Method exchange

17.30 - 19.00 Dinner

19.00 - 20.30 Method Exchange

20.30 - 21.30 NMO Hour - Discussion

21.30 Social

Day 3: 16 September 2013

08.00 - 09.00 Breakfast

09.00 - 10.30 Method exchange

10.30 - 11.30 Method exchange

11.30 - 12.30 Method Exchange

12.30 - 14.00 Lunch

14.00 - 15.30 External talk

15.30 - 16.00 coffee break

16.00 - 17.30 Method Exchange

17.30 - 19.00 Dinner

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19.00 - 20.30 Method Exchange

20.30 - 21.30 NMO Hour - Discussion

21.30 Social

Day 4: 17 September 2013

08.00 - 09.00 Breakfast

09.00 - 11.00 How we want our SECSE to be - Part 2

11.00 - … Departures

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transport Getting to Malta

With regards to airline tickets you have several options, you could choose a national airline which

has routes to Malta, a low cost airline which has routes to Malta from the country of origin or the

Maltese National airline Air Malta. The airport is: Malta MT, Luqa airport

(http://www.maltairport.com/en/home.htm)

Below please find some examples to guide you. Please note that these are only examples and

participants must find flights and airports which suit them best whilst also keeping the event

timetable in mind.

N.B.: it is suggested that participants be in Malta before check-in time, and especially before the

opening ceremony. Below you can find a provisional agenda for the opening day (Saturday 14th

September):

i. 14:00 – check-in

ii. 17:30 – leave hotel for Valletta

iii. 18:30 – 20:00 – tour of Valletta

iv. 20:00 – 22:00 – opening ceremony

v. 22:00 – 00:00 – welcome party

Some possible flight options are included below. Please note this list is far from exhaustive:

i. Belgium: Brussels, BE to Malta, MT

ii. Catalonia: Barcelona, ES to Malta, MT

iii. Croatia: Zagreb, HR to Malta, MT

iv. Czech Republic: Prague, CZ to Malta, MT

v. France: Paris, FR to Malta, MT

vi. Greece: Athens, GR to Malta, MT

vii. Italy: Rome, IT to Malta, MT

viii. Portugal: Lisbon, PT to Malta, MT

ix. Slovenia: Ljubljana, SI to Malta, MT

x. Spain: Barcelona, ES to Malta, MT

xi. Turkey: Ankara, TR to Malta, MT

Some of the airlines operating to Malta are listed in the diagram below:

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You can view Malta International Airport’s summer schedule here: Summer Flight Schedule PDF

Note another route of transport to Malta is by sea using Virtu Ferries from Sicily.

Getting to the hotel

Travelling from the Malta International Airport

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Right outside the MIA there is a bus station (see picture above) . There are several routes which

lead to the destination, however the simplest route is directly from the Airport to Bugibba. You can

buy tickets from booths, ticket machines, or the bus driver. When paying the latter, correct change

is appreciated.

i. Board Bus number X3, then ensure with driver the destination is Bugibba; the X3 leaves the

airport every half-hour (xx:05 and xx:35). Ticket options are as follows:

1. Two-hour ticket (€2.20)

2. Day ticket (€2.60) – recommended option

3. Week ticket (€12.00)

ii. On arrival at Bugibba terminus (last stop of the route) walk to hotel following map (see

below 2 and 3), should you encounter any problems do not hesitate to ask

locals/businesses for directions they should be helpful and most people are able to

communicate in English.

N.B.: Remember to ask driver on boarding that destination is Bugibba

For further information visit Public Transport Website

Travelling from Valletta

A second option could be an indirect route by going to the Valletta terminus (the central transport

changeover hub) and go anywhere you want from there (see the Google link below)

Link to potential routes on Google Maps

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If you wish to take this less direct route by travelling to Valletta:

i. At the Airport, board Bus numbers X5, X4, or 73, then ensure with driver the destination is

Valletta. (Full routes list on Arriva website)

ii. Once you arrive in Valletta, board bus numbers 12 or 31 to Bugibba terminus (confirm this

with the driver on boarding)

iii. On arrival in Bugibba walk to hotel following the map (see below) should you encounter

any problems do not hesitate to ask locals/businesses for directions they should be helpful

and most people are able to communicate decently in English.

Remember to ask driver on boarding that destination is Bugibba

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Travelling by taxi

Alternatively one could use a taxi found outside the airport, just make sure to agree on price before

boarding. Your destination is Bella Vista Hotel, Bugibba/Qawra. The trip should only take around

30 minutes and fare cost is around €25.

N.B.: St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra, are towns that are very close to each other and might

be referred to interchangeably by some locals, so don’t get confused.

Pickup system

Finally the MMSA is discussing the possibility of setting up a pick up system; attendees will be

notified at a later stage if this option is available.

Transport during secse events

Transport for the events and social programmes will be organised by MMSA at a small fee.

Contact details

Should you encounter any issues on arrival to Malta with regards to transport and getting around,

the transport coordinators will assist you. Contact the following transport coordinators if you have

any queries.

Dale Brincat

mobile number: +356 79240593

email: dalebrincat@gmail.com

Stefano Fenech

mobile number: +356 99029890

email: stefanofenech@hotmail.com

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social programme We have a jam-packed social programme prepared for all SECSE attendees guaranteed to leave

you wanting more!

On Saturday we will kick off our social programme with an opening ceremony to welcome all

participants. In this introductory session we will give an outline of the exciting events that will make

the first edition of SECSE an unforgettable and enjoyable one.

Our social programme continues on Sunday with a party that will be held at Club 8 in Paceville.

This get-together will give IFMSA members an idea of the contagious vibe the heart of the Maltese

clubbing scene is renowned for worldwide. Participants will also have the opportunity to make the

most out of great bar offers.

On Monday, an International Food and Drinks night will be held which will give the participants a

chance to have a taste and a sip of delicious foreign cuisine and beverage. This event will be

organised with a twist that will serve to make it all the more gratifying. More details will be

released at a later date.

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Secse merchandise Being “SECSE” would not be possible without some awesome SECSE merchandise to take back

home with you!

Once you arrive at the Bella Vista hotel for checkin, we will be providing you with stylised SECSE

name tags. Please ensure that you fill in your details correctly on the registration form to avoid

disappointment.

Furthermore, we will also be selling SECSE t-shirts. T-shirts will be sold on a pre-order basis only,

so please indicate the desired amount and size on your registration form. The front and back

designs are shown below.

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About malta The Republic of Malta consists of an archipelago of

small islands in the heart of the Mediterranean, with

the three main islands being of the largest touristic

importance: Malta, Gozo and Comino.

With near year-round sun, you can indulge in

outdoor living at its best. In just a kilometre or two,

you can try a new sport, laze on an island cruise

and tour the most important historic sites, and still

have time to join in the nightlife: this is the miracle

the jewel of the Mediterranean.

Whilst staying in Malta, you can span the millennia

by visiting an astonishing array of historical sites

and roam the gorgeous scenic nature trails to

discover the rustic Mediterranean lifestyle where the

scenery and architecture provide a spectacular

backdrop of honey-coloured stone against the

deepest of Mediterranean blues.

The historical capital Valletta has much to offer being the commercial and administrative centre of

the nation. The Grand Harbour is a site not to be missed, with marvellous views of the massive

bastions protecting the capital and the surrounding Three Cities across the harbour. The areas of

Sliema and St. Julian’s are renowned for their nightlife and cosmopolitan feel. Besides this the

coastal north has beautiful beaches for you to work on that summer tan, whilst the urban south

boasts of its picturesque villages that contrast with the ancient prehistoric temples in the mysterious

rural west coast of Malta.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not

take a few days to explore Gozo, the best kept

secret of the Mediterranean with its endless

rolling green hills, stunning sparkling waters

which provide the perfect diving experience and

stretches of red-sanded beaches. Or why not

catch a boat ride to the tiny island of Comino

with its world-clas Blue Lagoon and tiny hotel

settlement nestled between its largest sister

islands.

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During the months of summer you will also be able to enjoy a local festa, a colourful celebration of

fireworks, music and religious devotion dedicated to the village patron. Malta has an abundance

to offer, whether you are looking for a perfect place to hold a flawless business meeting or

conference, and an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday!

(all photos in this invitation package are © www.viewingmalta.com) I