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

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has been chosen to head Eurochild, a children’s rights advocacy network with 176 members in 34 countries.

The former president of Malta and chair of the Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society was elected at the Eurochild general assembly in Brussels on Wednesday.

She was uncontested for the post.

Eurochild secretary general Jana Hainsworth said: “We are honoured and delighted to have leadership of such a committed champion of children’s rights. Her excellency’s vision of children’s rights and insight into the political world will open many doors for Eurochild and enable the network to sail smoothly amid the upcoming changes in the European institutions and beyond.”

Eurochild is an advocacy network of organisations working with and for children throughout Europe, striving for a society that respects the rights of children.

Bringing expertise from its membership, the network influences policies, builds internal capacities, facilitates mutual learning and exchanges practice and research to support the children’s rights sector. 

Ahead of the next month’s European elections, Eurochild is campaigning for a European Parliament that stands for children with the Vote for Children campaign.

In her first reaction, Coleiro Preca said child participation was always at the centre of her endeavours.

“I would like to use my time as president of this prestigious organisation to ensure that child participation really takes off on a pan-European level, bringing greater attention to the voice of children. I believe Europe can play a leading role globally here too,” she said.

Coleiro Preca’s term as president came to an end at the start of April. She continues to head the foundation she set up during her presidential term and which has been renamed the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.