Junior minister launches Fair Society Action Council

Parliamentary secretary for the rights of persons with disability Franco Mercieca launched the Fair Society Action Council - a council aimed to research, draft and develop policies for persons with special needs.

Mercieca also announced the setting up of two sub-committees, one chaired by Andrew Azzopardi and the other by Olivier Scicluna.

Azzopardi and his sub-committee will be responsible of drafting policies and advising the parliamentary secretary while Scicluna will be leading the preparations and organising a national conference to be held next year.

Describing the action council as a "think-tank", Mercieca said members would include experts, persons with disability and relatives.

"The sector currently lacks cohesion and we want to unite forces and address issues such as inclusion, independent living and accessibility," he said.

The national strategy will focus on implement the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.