The representatives of voluntary organisations have met Prof. Kenneth Wain, the first Voluntary Organisations’ Commissioner, at a reception organised by the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, which was attended also by the Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi.

Dr Gonzi, thanking Prof. Wain for accepting the appointment, said the voluntary sector was the country’s backbone, representing the most precious thing Maltese society had.

The sector had made its name in the country because it had always regulated itself. The commissioner’s function would as a result be to facilitate its operation while the organisations would remain accountable for their operations.

Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina said the legislation introducing the commissioner was the result of years of consultation with the voluntary sector itself. The aim was to give voluntary bodies a legal framework to make them stronger and give them the necessary direction, while giving the sector a higher profile.

Voluntary organisations would this year receive more assistance, worth in all Lm870,000 (e2,026,555), which was proof of how well the government appreciated their work.