The appointment of the new Children’s Commissioner is a new chapter in Maltese society for children and their rights and it is the role of the commissioner to give children a voice, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Dr Gonzi was presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of new Children’s Commissioner Carmen Zammit at Castille.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina and Head of Secretariat Brian Magro also attended the ceremony.

Dr Gonzi explained that Mrs Zammit had been appointed following a consultation meeting held by the House of Representatives Social Affairs Committee.

The office of Children’s Commissioner had been established in order that Malta would be in line with the UN Convention of the Child, he added.

Dr Gonzi spoke about meetings he had had with children at Castille last year.

“During these meetings, the children spoke about the need for more investment in the environment and how the government should focus more on safeguarding it,” he said. “It is important that children are given a voice and this is where the commissioner comes in.”

Dr Gonzi added that the role of the commissioner is vital to Malta. The prime minister thanked previous commissioner Sonia Camilleri for all her hard work and dedication and pointed out that Mrs Zammit is right for the job, due to all her years of experience as a social worker.

Mrs Zammit explained that she worked as a social worker with children who have problems for 35 years.

“I worked mainly with children who have a difficult family background but now will widen my perspective to help all children,” she said.

The new commissioner said she was confident that she will have the necessary support from everyone and is looking forward to fulfilling her role with dedication and hard work.

“I will make sure that children are always taken into consideration and that they are given all the opportunities to which they are entitled,” said Mrs Zammit.

She pointed out that the family is very important and that children and their problems need to be considered within the context of their family environment.