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Malta Conferences Foundation

Using Science as a Bridge to Peace in the Middle East, by having scientists from 15 Middle Eastern countries with 6 Nobel Laureates work together.

Acts of war and terrorism have destabilized the political and economic climate in the Middle East and around the world, but it remains possible for scientists from opposing sides of the political and cultural conflict to meet in an attempt to forge relationships that bridge the deep chasms of distrust and intolerance. In 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 conferences were held twice on the Mediterran

ean island of Malta and once each in Istanbul; Turkey; Amman, Jordan; and UNESCO, Paris, France that brought together scientists from 15 Middle East countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates) to share their scholarship with each other, Nobel Laureates, and other eminent scientists toward the goal of solving some of the scientific problems in the region. These conferences, which use science as a bridge to peace in the Middle East, are called The Malta Conferences. In the Middle East it is especially important that stable, mutually respectful, personal relationships be created that will enhance research interactions and collaborations, contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere, encourage international development, help establish a more favorable environment for regional peace and security, and foster further growth in regional scientific and technological cooperation. This is the goal of the Malta Conferences which the Foundation has been established to support. From the outset, the Malta Conferences were endorsed by UNESCO and constituted an incentive to promote a culture of peace within the Organization’s International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP). The Malta V Conference was one of the official events of the 2011 International Year of Chemistry.

03/23/2026

Tomorrow and Wednesday the Malta Conferences Foundation family will be presenting at !

Don’t miss out on 2025 Nobel Laureate Prof. Omar Yaghi’s Year Anniversary Keynote Address on Wednesday at 5 PM EDT.

Malta Conferences Foundation President, Zafra Lerman and Vice President Ann Nalley are presenting Tuesday morning in the Snags Along the Way: Career Choices, Mistakes and Milestones session, hosted by the Senior Chemists Committee. Malta Council of Young Scholars Chair Mikayla Swatscheno is presenting in Heterocycles and Aromatics with the American Chemical Society - Division of Organic Chemistry.

We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta!

01/13/2026

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to read more books, we suggest reading Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, a memoir by Malta Conferences Foundation President Zafra Lerman, to start the year on an inspired foot.

Lerman’s book follows the story of her deep-seated values from growing up in Israel to immigrating to the United States with a young son, and becoming an internationally recognized scientist, professor, science educator, and scientific diplomat. She uniquely forged her science curriculum by teaching through art, music, dance, and drama, teaching underprivileged students from all over the world.

Lerman’s story delves into the formation of the Malta Conferences Foundation, hosting biennial, international meetings of scientists from all Middle East countries, Nobel Laureates, and government leaders to use science diplomacy as a bridge to peace in the Middle East.

Published this summer in paperback, the memoir has already received notable recognition. The Midwest Book Reviews elected it as a Reviewer’s Choice for the International Studies Shelf, and Nature magazine highlighted the book by featuring a sentence from it as the magazine’s “Quote of the Day.”

Find your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Rights-Peace-Zafra-Lerman/dp/9815129244 or Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/human-rights-and-peace-zafra-lerman/1145276228
All proceeds from book sales directly support the Malta Conferences, helping scientists from across divided regions collaborate toward a more peaceful future.

12/26/2025

It is a great pleasure to see our Founder, Zafra Lerman, hosted by Ashutosh Garg, the Founder of The Brand Called You, on a podcast episode, where she discusses how her scientific career influences her humanitarian mission.

"While working with Frank Long, a physical chemist at Cornell University, on isotope effects, I became deeply fascinated by his work in arms control, disarmament, and peace. It made me realise that scientists have a responsibility to make the world a better place. Science can prolong life, but it can also cut life short. I wanted to ensure that my work contributed to scientific efforts that prolong life," ~ Zafra Lerman.

We invite you to watch the entire podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7rdgVS0Xps to learn more about how she balances political sensitivities with scientific focus.

More about Zafra's journey can be found in her memoir "Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey" on Amazon via https://www.amazon.com/dp/9815129724?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&bestFormat=true&csmig=1

12/20/2025

Behind every scientific breakthrough, every meaningful , and every lasting friendship forged at the Malta Conferences is you.

Your generosity enables us to bring scientists together when politics cannot. Through your support, science diplomacy has become a powerful bridge for dialogue, trust, and cooperation in the Middle East and beyond.

As we approach the end of 2025, we invite you once again to contribute in support of the next Malta Conference. Your contribution, at any level, directly strengthens our ability to convene scientists, build and nurture collaboration, and advance peace through science.

If our mission resonates with you, we would be honoured to have your support. Give today: https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/donate

12/18/2025

The Malta Conferences are a place where from countries across the Middle East come together to develop scientific to build peace through science.

This neutral, collaborative space is at the core of what it means to promote science diplomacy. However, logistics, materials, and participant travel to conferences rely entirely on donor support.
We are calling on you to make an end-of-year tax-deductible gift to directly support the next Malta Conference.

Support the next Malta Conference with a tax-deductible donation today: https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/donate

12/17/2025

We are pleased to join the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University in congratulating Dr. Omar Farha on this well-deserved recognition as a 2025 National Academy of Inventors Fellow.

Omar is a valued member of the Malta Conferences Foundation family, whose work symbolizes the calibre of scientists who have long been part of the MCF community. His achievements in Chemistry and Materials Science reflect the kind of cutting-edge research, leadership, and global impact that MCF seeks to support and amplify.

We are proud to highlight the work and accomplishments of the scientists within our network, not only to celebrate individual excellence but also to show how sustained scientific exchange through MCF has strengthened , advanced discovery, and contributed to addressing global challenges over the years.

Congratulations once again to Dr. Farha on this important milestone.

12/16/2025

As you finalize your holiday shopping, consider giving a gift with purpose: a copy of Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, a memoir by Zafra Lerman, President of the Malta Conferences Foundation.

The book traces Zafra’s extraordinary journey, from growing up in Israel, to immigrating to the United States with her young son and no family support, to pursuing a postdoctoral position at Cornell University, and ultimately building an internationally recognized career in science, science education, and as a bridge to peace in the Middle East and beyond.

Published this summer in paperback, the memoir has already received notable recognition. The Midwest Book Reviews elected it as a Reviewer’s Choice for the International Studies Shelf, and Nature Magazine highlighted the book by featuring a sentence from it as the magazine’s “Quote of the Day.”

You can order copies through Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/9815129724?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&bestFormat=true&csmig=1) or Barnes & Noble. All proceeds from book sales directly support the Malta Conferences, helping scientists from across divided regions collaborate toward a more peaceful future.

If you enjoy the book, please consider leaving a 5-star review on Amazon. Your voice helps amplify this important message.

Thank you for your continued support, and warm wishes for a meaningful holiday season.

12/15/2025

This year reminded us how deeply the world needs connection — genuine, face-to-face, across borders.

That’s exactly what the Malta Conferences Foundation makes possible.

Every conference brings together scientists from across the Middle East — even countries in conflict — to collaborate on water, energy, public health, chemical safety, and STEM education.

As we close 2025, we’re launching our Science That Connects Us campaign.

Your donation helps keep these conversations going when the world needs them most.

Give today and support peace through science: https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/donate

12/12/2025

: Omar M. Yaghi’s 2025 Nobel Prize Lecture in Chemistry

Omar has been part of the Malta Conferences Foundation since its inception, championing the mission of using science as a bridge for dialogue, , and peace. His long-standing commitment to the Malta Conferences community continues to inspire our work.

In his 2025 Nobel lecture, “Metal-Organic Frameworks – From Molecules to Society,” Omar reflected on how his research transforms chemistry from “beautiful” molecular structures into practical solutions with . MOFs are now used in air and water purification, carbon capture, and clean energy, demonstrating how elegant chemical design can serve humanity.

As the Malta Conferences Foundation, we are proud to see teachings like these connecting scientific breakthroughs with societal benefit, reinforcing the values at the heart of the MCF mission.

If you missed it live, the full lecture is available here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7kwdw3mup2A

12/02/2025

It's !

“When we bring scientists together, across borders and cultures, we open doors that politics alone can not unlock” ~ Prof. Zafra Lerman, Founder, Malta Conferences Foundation

For more than two decades, MCF has created a unique space where scientists from across the Middle East gather to tackle shared challenges like water scarcity, energy, food security, climate change, public health, and more. These are problems that cross borders, and their solutions require collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to peace.

As we mark Giving Tuesday, we invite you to stand with us.

Your support enables:
✨ Scientists from nations in conflict to work side by side
✨ Young researchers to gain mentors, networks, and opportunities
✨ Regional collaborations that address challenges affecting millions
✨ A model of science diplomacy that has proven its power to build understanding

If you believe in the power of science to transform lives and to build peace where it is needed most, please consider supporting the Malta Conferences Foundation by visiting our donation page today at https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/donate.

Every contribution strengthens the bridge we are building, and every donor becomes part of the story.

11/19/2025

Recently, two of our Board Members, Zafra Lerman and Winnie Nakiyingi, met in Chicago to exchange ideas on how to further elevate and expand the impact of the Malta Conferences Foundation. Their conversation reflected what MCF stands for: diverse perspectives coming together to shape a shared vision.

They discussed new ways to support collaboration, broaden engagement, and continue supporting dialogue across political, cultural, and geographic boundaries, given their experiences rooted in different regions and scientific communities.

Such cross-continental, thoughtful, and purposeful meetings are essential to guiding the future of the Malta Conferences Foundation.

10/09/2025

The Malta Conferences Foundation (MCF) proudly celebrates the extraordinary achievement of Prof. Omar Yaghi, an esteemed member of our MCF family, who has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry!

Prof. Yaghi, a Jordanian-American chemist, pioneered Reticular Chemistry, which is the science of stitching molecular building blocks into crystalline frameworks. His groundbreaking work on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) has transformed possibilities in , water harvesting, and carbon capture. He has been a devoted supporter and active participant in the Malta Conferences Foundation since its inception.

Today, we celebrate not only his scientific brilliance but also his strong commitment to , education, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Congratulations, Prof. Yaghi!

Address

C/O Wiley Rein LLP 1776 K Street, NW
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Telephone

(847) 866-7299

Website

http://www.MaltaConferencesFoundation.org/

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