The first ‘National Children Policy' was launched today with Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon saying that the policy, which will empower children, is the first step towards giving children the rights they deserve.

Marisa Scerri, director General of Social Policy at the ministry, explained the fundamentals of the policy in which all children are given the right to protection, provision and participation. “They have the right to be loved, guided and taken care of,” she said, adding that one of the strengths of the policy was that it had been built after consultation with children aged between three and 17 from private, church and state schools. The children’s commissioner also said that children were allowed to express themselves through drawing, poems or any way they felt comfortable.

The policy identifies key stakeholders – family, the state and the community. The key dimensions of the policy objectives are: home environment; social wellbeing; health and environment; education and employment; and leisure and culture. The policy includes 110 objectives.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was unable to attend the event but spoke through a video message highlighting her satisfaction that children were being incorporated in politics and children’s rights had become an integral part of society.

 “Children's rights are human rights” she said, urging authorities to continue to create process which allow children to reach their potential and inspirations.