2019 Australian Hospitaller

Page 60

Humanitarian

DIPLOMACY Michelle Rees looks at how the Sovereign Order of Malta acts to serve the poor, sick and victims of conflicts in neutral, impartial and apolitical ways.

T

he Sovereign Order of Malta has many features that make it unique, and one of the most surprising attributes is its sovereign status. This is significant given it has retained sovereignty with a limited territorial base – Rhodes in 1310 and then Malta until 1798 – but with an influence inversely proportional to the size of its rights-of-way. The Order of Malta has experienced a marked intensification of diplomatic relations in recent years, however the relevance, need and purpose of these relations are not well understood. Humanitarian aid is no longer just a matter of last-minute emergency rescuers. Operational means alone, such as logistics and resources for the delivery

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of aid, are no longer sufficient to ensure the long-term success of humanitarian action. Humanitarian diplomacy is an invaluable tool for mediation, peace and reconstruction. The Order of Malta’s diplomatic relations Today, the Sovereign Order of Malta has bilateral diplomatic relations with 110 states and the European Union. It also has permanent observer status at the United Nations, its specialised agencies, and the main international organisations. The diplomatic activity of the Sovereign Order of Malta is distinct from that of nation states. It has another dimension and other aims. Having no longer a territory to defend, economic or trade interests

to promote, the Order of Malta does not position itself in international conflicts. Instead, it acts to promote ethical and spiritual values, which have guided it for nearly a thousand years through its charitable works, especially in the medical, social and humanitarian fields, and in emergency situations. It does not pursue any economic or political goal and does not depend on any other state or government. It is always neutral, impartial and apolitical. The scope of its diplomatic relations The humanitarian activities of the Order of Malta around the world are largely facilitated by the existence of its diplomatic network, which strengthens the relationships with the governments of the

2019 Australian Hospitaller


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Articles inside

Original Glory

6min
pages 76-80

Obituaries

16min
pages 72-75

Book Reviews

8min
pages 70-71

Humanitarian Diplomacy

4min
pages 60-61

The People’s Journey

12min
pages 54-57

Hope in Hong Kong

5min
pages 62-65

Forward Focus

2min
pages 58-59

Bethlehem’s Miracle

8min
pages 66-69

Embracing the Challenge

5min
pages 50-53

Inaugural National Day

5min
pages 48-49

Did you know

10min
pages 44-47

A Leading Legacy

9min
pages 41-43

The Spirit and Tradition of Pilgrimage

9min
pages 38-40

The True Cross

5min
pages 34-37

Thailand

6min
pages 30-31

Korea

6min
pages 32-33

New Zealand

4min
pages 28-29

Northern Central

4min
pages 26-27

Central Southern

5min
pages 24-25

North Eastern

7min
pages 18-19

Central Eastern

4min
pages 20-21

A Piece of History

1min
page 15

National Hospitaller

6min
pages 16-17

Subpriory

2min
page 14

South Eastern

6min
pages 22-23

Association President

8min
pages 12-13

Setting a path to living our Faith

8min
pages 6-11
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