Simon Busuttil is new AZAD chairperson
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil has been appointed as the new Chairman of AZAD, the Academy for the Development of a Democratic Environment (Akkademija ghall-Izvilupp ta’ Ambjent Demokratiku).
He replaces Ranier Fsadni who had held the post since 2001.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi thanked Busuttil for assuming the role with a board to be announced shortly. He also thanked outgoing Chairman Ranier Fsadni and the outgoing board members Dr Paula Mifsud Bonnici, Trevor Zahra, Jean Paul De Lucca and Daniela Debono for their sterling service during their tenure.
“As a political academy AZAD has given a long-standing contribution to the development of democracy in Maltabuilding on and promoting Christian Democratic values and principles which have also inspired and guided the Nationalist Party in its political action and in successive PN-led governments,” Gonzi said.
The nomination of Dr Busuttil to lead AZAD is one of eight actions launched by PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier and approved by the General Council in May.
“AZAD still has an extremely crucial role today as a centre of political studies aimed at widening the process of dialogue to strengthen society at a time when great socio-economic changes happening through Europeand which have an impact on our society,” Borg Olivier said.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Busuttil said: “I am greatly honoured to be appointed to head this prestigious academy and I am committed to continue in the steps of its founders and its successive leaders. In today’s dynamic political context, the need for an academy that promotes open and mature political debate, that contributes to policy-making and that provides political training, is truly critical. On all three scores, AZAD has already made its mark over the years and I will see to it that it will continue to do so in the years to come.”
AZAD was established in 1976 by its first President Dr Censu Tabone.
