The Civil Society Committee

The sector of Health, Elderly and Pensioners is one of the largest within the Civil Society Committee. Any registered Voluntary Organisation (VO) with a remit concerning health, elderly or pensioners is eligible to contribute to this sector. Issues related to anything concerning health and well-being of citizens as well as the elderly and pensioner populations in Malta, are brought to the table of the Civil Society Committee for discussion and eventually present suggestions to Government.

Representative: Dr Mariella Buontempo

Substitute: Mr. Peter Paul Bonnici

The Civil Society Committee sees to it that issues regarding the equality of rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for people of all genders are raised.

The committee includes a representative of the National Council of Women of Malta (NCW). This Council supports gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Representative: Ms. Mary Gaerty

Substitute: Dr. Rebecca Berry Wellman

The professional sector has been represented within the Civil Society Committee since the MCESD law has been changed in 2012. Every registered profession has a voice in the Civil Society Committee, and this sector can be highly valuable to the Committee when combined with other sectors.

Representative: Ms. Norma Camilleri

Substitute: Inġ. Saviour Badacchino

This sector represents Voluntary Organizations that provide educational and cultural programmes as well as different types of social support to vulnerable citizens. It is targeted at individuals and families who are experiencing financial and social difficulties.  This sector, through its participation in the Civil Society Committee, promotes a healthy society that cares for the well-being of all.

Representative: Fr. Ivan Attard

Substitute: Ms. Maria Carmela Borg

This sector within the Civil Society Committee is represented by The Touring Club Malta which has a representative on the Committee.  It deals with the issue of sustainability from both a consumer and an environmental aspect. Its mission in society is to create a sense of responsibility in motorhome owners by instructing them on the code of ethics, road safety, and safe driving.

Representative: Mr. Rueben Baldacchino

Substitute: Prof. Joseph Grima

This committee sector’s duty is to be a voice for the protection and cultivation of Maltese flora, which includes several indigenous and endemic plants, shrubs, and trees in various settings.

This industry is represented by the Malta Beekeepers’ Association, which is dedicated to fostering, among other areas, education, knowledge, and appreciation of honeybees with the general public.

Representative: Mr. Malcolm Borg

Substitute: Mr. Eman Vella

The Civil Society Committee addresses issues affecting persons with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full potential in all aspects of their lives and have a great quality of life as a result of equal chances.

This sector is represented by the Malta Federation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (MFOPD), which is made up of 35 enrolled non-governmental organisations that work with and for individuals with disabilities.

Representative: N/A

Substitute: N/A

This sector is in charge of the national heritage and the environment in its broadest sense. Talks on the environment, on which our livelihood, health, and economy rely, as well as discussions on culture, arts, and national heritage, which contribute to our distinctive identity, take place on a regular basis during Civil Society Committee meetings.

Representative: Mr. James Licari

Substitute: Ms. Vanessa Mac Donald

The youth and students sector represents a generation of young people and youth organisations who are engaged in both local and global issues. Its goal is to promote inclusive policies among many stakeholders. The Civil Society Committee guarantees that the opinions of young people are heard and included in critical decisions affecting our society as a whole.

Representative: Ms. Sarah Xuereb

Substitute: Ms. Maria Galea

Local councils are represented in the Civil Society Committee by the Local Councils’ Association. The goal is to preserve and promote the local councils’ common interests, as well as to give a shared vision for enhanced quality of life for citizens in their communities.

Representative: Mr. Mario Fava

Substitute: Mr. Anthony Chircop