Reflections and Future Plans: Highlights from the Core Group Meeting at the University of Malta, January 30-31, 2024
On January 30 and 31, 2025, the University of Malta hosted HIDDEN’s Core Group gathering. This meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for team members to connect, reflect on their progress, and strategically plan for the year ahead. The discussions were rich, insightful, and focused on reviewing past achievements, addressing unfinished tasks, and setting the course for the final year of activities. The HIDDEN leadership group also took the opportunity to meet with activists and scholars in Malta to enrich the insights of the meeting, make connections with existing projects and plan for the future.
Reflecting on Achievements and Setting Goals for the Future
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to reflection and planning. Each working group presented a comprehensive update on what had been accomplished during Year 2 of the Action. They highlighted key milestones achieved and discussed what remained to be done. The meeting served as a crucial touchpoint for ensuring that the initiative was on track to meet its goals and milestones before the final deadline next year. With a strong emphasis on collaborative effort, the team explored the various aspects of HIDDEN that needed more attention and clarified priorities moving forward.
In addition to reflection, the group worked on publication planning, ensuring that key outcomes from past events and upcoming deliverables were well-documented. These publications will play a vital role in communicating HIDDEN’s findings and impact to a broader audience, strengthening the initiative’s legacy.
Strategic Planning for the Conference in Maynooth
One major focus of the meeting was the upcoming Conference in Maynooth. The team reviewed abstracts, discussed the overall schedule, and explored how each working group would contribute to the conference’s themes. This event promises to be a significant milestone, and the core group is determined to ensure that it is both informative and impactful. The conference will feature cutting-edge discussions on topics that align with the initiative’s mission, offering opportunities for thought-provoking exchanges and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Future Funding Applications and New Collaborations
Another crucial aspect of the meeting involved discussions on future funding opportunities. The group identified potential avenues for securing additional financial support, enabling them to continue their impactful work beyond the project’s initial framework. Collaboration was a key theme throughout the meeting, with team members discussing potential partnerships with artists, writers, journalists, and other key stakeholders. Engaging with other COST Actions was also highlighted as a potential avenue for strengthening the project’s reach and ensuring the sustainability of its outcomes.
Day 2: Guest Presentations and Insightful Discussions
The second day of the meeting offered two compelling guest presentations, which enriched the discussions and provided fresh perspectives on the project’s themes.
Statelessness and Advocacy for Equal Rights
The first guest speaker was Aleksejs Ivashuk, a representative from the Apatride Network.
This organization is led by stateless individuals and advocates for the human rights of stateless people within the EU. Their mission is to raise awareness of the challenges faced by stateless individuals and to shift perceptions surrounding statelessness. Ivashuk shared the network’s goals, including their work in providing legal assistance, training lawyers, and running impactful projects aimed at dismantling barriers that stateless individuals face. His presentation prompted a robust discussion about human rights, advocacy, and the role of research in addressing such critical social issues.
Dr. Charles J. Farrugia: Passport Applications as a Research Tool
The second guest speaker was Dr. Charles J. Farrugia, Head of the Department of Archival Research at the University of Malta. Dr. Farrugia delivered an insightful presentation on the topic “Passport Applications as a Research Tool.”
Drawing from his extensive experience in archival research and his leadership role at the National Archives in Malta, Dr. Farrugia shared his expertise on using passport applications as a valuable resource for historical and genealogical research. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of Malta’s archival records, and his perspective on how personal documents can be used as research tools was both fascinating and thought-provoking.
Looking Ahead: A Successful Closing Event
As the meeting came to a close, the core group discussed ideas for the Year 4 closing event. This event will mark a significant moment in the project’s timeline, and the team is already brainstorming creative and engaging ways to celebrate the completion of this ambitious initiative. With the final year fast approaching, the group is committed to ensuring that all activities are successfully completed and all milestones met, leaving a lasting legacy for the research community.
The meeting at the University of Malta was a successful and productive gathering that reinforced the collective commitment of the team to finish strong. With strategic planning, exciting collaborations, and thought-provoking discussions, the core group is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact in the coming year and beyond. We are thankful to the University of Malta for hosting us and for the kind hospitality of local colleagues.
