Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca re-elected president of European children’s rights network

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, former President and Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society founder and chair, has been chosen to head Eurochild for a second term.

Eurochild, which has some 200 members in 37 countries, is a prestigious children’s rights advocacy network of organisations working with and for children throughout Europe, striving for a society that respects the rights of children.

Eurochild secretary general Jana Hainsworth said Eurochild was delighted that Ms Coleiro Preca had been re-elected for a second mandate of three years as Eurochild president.

“Throughout her career, Ms Coleiro Preca has championed children’s rights and we are fortunate to be able to harness this experience and commitment for the benefit of the children’s rights community across Europe.

“At this critical moment in its history, Europe needs a strong voice for children. Under Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca’s leadership, the Eurochild network will consolidate its impact and influence, to ensure no child gets left behind,” Hainsworth said.

Ms Coleiro Preca, who has served as both Family and Social Solidarity minister and as President of Malta, has for the last years dedicated her focus to alleviating children’s rights in Malta and on an EU level through the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.

Through the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Malta Trust Foundation, Ms Coleiro Preca has placed an intensified focus on child participation and set up the Children’s Rights Observatory Malta (CROM) in collaboration with the University of Malta’s Faculty of Social Wellbeing.

Ms Coleiro Preca has also been instrumental in pushing politicians to champion the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Reacting, Ms Coleiro Preca said she was honoured to have been reelected president of this strong European network.

“We are operating in the most challenging of times, which makes our work with and for children across Europe all the more important. We are determined to continue working tirelessly to safeguard children’s rights,” she said.

“Eurochild is developing and approving its new strategic plan for the coming years and this will undoubtedly prove to be an exciting period. We are determined and resolved to continue working in the best interests of all children living in Europe.”