Malta

Established by the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society is devoted to the promotion of social wellbeing. The President’s Foundation is involved in various projects focusing on promoting volunteerism, extending the existing discussions on gender equality, ensuring wellbeing within the field of migration and promoting and implementing child participation. The President’s Foundation created its Museum of Childhood which aims at offering a place to spark children’s imagination where Kids Play to Learn and Adults Learn to Play; this Museum of Childhood presents stories and experiences of children and exhibits dedicated to common events and subject areas, organised around broad themes.

The Office of the Commissioner for Children was set up in terms of the Commissioner for Children Act of 2003, to promote the welfare of children and the compliance with the UN Convention on the rights of the child. The work carried out by the Office focuses on the protection of children, the promotion of children’s rights, ensuring the provision of necessary services for children and the participation of children. The office acts as a focal point which monitors the current social and cultural situation in relation to children, such that it can contribute substantially in the co-ordination that needs to take place across all sectors in order to have policies that are child oriented.

By providing quality and timely service and support, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services empowers and helps individuals to become responsible, integrated and productive members of society who value life as a resource for self actualisation. The Foundation for Social Welfare Services is a catalyst for change and development in the social welfare sector in Malta             consistent with the real and emerging needs of children, families and the community in order to avoid social exclusion.

Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca is currently the 9th President of Malta. She served as Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity in 2013-2014, taking office as President in March 2014. As President she established “The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society” which, among other things, has pushed children’s rights up the political agenda and raised public awareness. She is a tireless advocate for children’s rights.

ECDAM’s primary goal is to strengthen the values, knowledge and skills of all those linked and committed to early childhood education and care (ECEC) so as to promote and support high-quality educational programmes for young children. Also, the association advocates for high-quality ECEC, the professionalisation of the ECEC workforce and the inherent rights, education and well-being of all children by connecting early childhood theory, practice, policy, and multi-disciplinary scientifically-based research. ECDAM aspires to explore and support child learning and development by creating a safe space for participation and dialogue. It fosters an inclusive democratic participatory platform in its search and support of good practices that promote the holistic learning and development of every child. Through their monthly online ECDAM events they share policy, research and pedagogical practice in ECEC underpinned by the UNCRC. They aim to strengthen the values, knowledge and skills of educators and parents to develop a shared understanding of children and childhood who need to be respected and recognised as human beings with rights.