Malta has reinforced its commitment to protecting children affected by conflict with the launch of the Manual on Conducting a National Consultation Process on Children and Armed Conflict, developed by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS) with the support of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism. The manual was launched in Brussels on Monday, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council, at Malta’s office in the Council of the European Union building.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, emphasised the manual’s crucial role in amplifying the voices of conflict-affected children and shaping effective policy responses. Strengthening Malta’s commitment to child protection, he also announced the country’s role as a Champion of the global ‘Prove It Matters’ campaign, launched by the Office of the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
“This campaign sends a powerful message: the international community must act to ensure children not only survive but thrive in times of crisis,” affirmed the Deputy Prime Minister.
Dr Borg further stated that through initiatives like the CAAC Primer, which has already reached 1,300 participants across 125 locations, Malta continues to lead global efforts in child protection.
“Malta has been a relentless advocate for children affected by conflict, ensuring their protection remains a global priority. As Chair of the UN Security Council Working Group on CAAC, we led critical negotiations and spearheaded UNSC Resolution 2764 to safeguard children during peace transitions. Its unanimous adoption—one of the most widely supported resolutions—proves the international community’s commitment. But words must be matched with action. Through this manual and our role in the ‘Prove It Matters’ campaign, Malta is driving real change. We must mobilise global support to ensure no child remains invisible, and their rights are fully protected,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg.
Chair and Founder of the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said, “Children are at the heart of our societies and as global conflicts continue to displace children, their stories of trauma, resilience, and hope must be heard and understood, to address their needs for protection, rights, and integration. The Manual we are launching today, underscores these universal rights, regardless of children’s origins.”
As Chair of the UNSC Working Group on CAAC, Malta played a pivotal role in negotiating 11 CAAC conclusions over two years. Moreover, during Malta’s term, 19 formal meetings of the Working Group were organised, along with two field visits to Nigeria (July 2023) and Colombia (December 2024), aimed at deepening understanding of the situation on the ground.
“Safeguarding children is not just a duty, it’s a fundamental commitment of our democracies and a manifestation of human rights. I appeal to the international community, governments, and authorities to ensure the safeguarding of children in armed conflicts and make a heartfelt appeal to the governments and authorities of EU member states to take this responsibility seriously,” said Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.
Present for the launch were also European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba.
Photo: MFT
