Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Dolores Cristina said that this was granted after Appogg submitted a detailed proposal to the secretariat outlining the various specialist areas of consultancy needed. These include social workers providing child protection services, those working with children in residential and foster care and issues affecting children with disabilities and mental health problems.

Ms Cristina said that many of these professionals will benefit from training seminars to be held by renowned consultants from Britain and other Commonwealth countries.

The training will also be available to professionals from other Commonwealth countries. In addition, Malta will also be supporting some professionals from developing countries to benefit from this training.

“We are pleased that the Maltese government’s commitment to improve services related to children is now being extended to help other countries. The assistance is highly appreciated, since enhancing professional development will undoubtedly help improve the predicament of children globally,” Minister Cristina said.