Malta still benefited from the contribution of the Maltese diaspora, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca maintained as she opened a Convention for Maltese Living Abroad this afternoon.
The convention, which is being held between 20 and 23 April, is being organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and is taking place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
But it was opened with a mass celebrated by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech at the Russian Chapel within San Anton Palace yesterday afternoon, followed by a reception at the palace grounds.
The convention is the fourth being organised by the government for the Maltese diaspora - the others took place in 1969, 2000 and 2010 - and it is being held in the backdrop of the centenary celebrations commemorating the Gallipoli campaign and ANZAC Day. Many Australian and New Zealand casualties in the Gallipoli campaign had been evacuated to Malta for medical treatment.
Over 100 diaspora Maltese residing in various countries - including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the USA - have come to Malta to attend the conference.
A number of Maltese living abroad are also taking part in a diaspora art exhibition held at Heritage Malta's exhibition venue in Melita Street, Valletta, and a symposium for Maltese novelists living abroad will be organised at the University of Malta Building in Valletta on 22 April.
The convention is being chaired by the permanent secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Council for the Maltese Living Abroad had appointed Maurice Cauchi as its representative on the organising committee.
In her address, Ms Coleiro Preca said that the delegates' presence was a clear evidence of how the Maltese managed to succeeded wherever they may be. She said that while Maltese people have ended up living in every corner of the globe, they remained united by culture and by common values.
She insisted that Malta and the Maltese diaspora could contribute to each other's benefit, and pledged that the Presidency would remain close to Maltese people living overseas.
"You are a part of us, and we want to help you foster your Maltese identity. Malta still needs you," she said.
The President said that any Maltese people living overseas who wished to contribute to Malta could do so in various manners, including through the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Malta Community Chest Fund, which will itself be transformed into a foundation in the near future.
She concluded by stating that she was proud to be the President of every Maltese person, including those living overseas, and encouraged the diaspora to continue to give visibility to their country of origin.
Ms Coleiro Preca also augured that the Maltese living abroad would continue visiting Malta, stating that they will always find people ready to welcome them on their arrival.