Qawra LEAP Centre this morning organised the Carnival for Peace event which gathered children and older adults from the northern region.
The event took place at the St. Paul's Bay Indoor Bocci Club and saw the participation of around 250 children and older adults. The activity gave the opportunity to participants to have fun in a non formal environment and at the same time celebrate the value of each individual within society.
Martin Chetcuti, the Northern Regional Agent highlighted the importance of everyone's positive first step to take the necessary positive action within the families, schools, day centres and society at large. Mr. Chetcuti also highlighted that today's initiative is the first from a series of initiatives which are being organised by the Qawra LEAP Centre to promote the value of peace within the Northern Region.
Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity expressed the satisfaction that the LEAP project is reaping concrete results. The networking process is evident and is leading to various generations and organisations to work with each other. Minister Farrugia said that the northern region is managing to obtain successes on various fronts through the interventions done by the Qawra LEAP Centre. This process is leading to a very positive experience amongst all stakeholders. Minister Farrugia also highlighted that children may teach older adults whilst the latter may lead younger people to learn from their respective experiences.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing Dr. Justyne Caruana said that the government is making an emphasis on active ageing which leads to active citizenship within society. Dr Caruana also mentioned the transformation of the day centres into lifelong learning hubs where certain programmes are being organised by the Active Ageing Unit. These programmes include sessions in aerobics, therapeutic dances, and information on digital information. Following the positive feedback received, this programme is going to be extended within the government's older adult residences in the coming days. The parliamentary secretary added that the government places great value in individual's diverse abilities as well as the importance of intergenerational interaction particularly in those concerning the value of peace, the theme on which today's activity was based.
Further information about the work conducted by the Qawra LEAP Centre may be obtained from the Qawra LEAP Centre facebook page.