For her second consecutive year, the spouse of the Prime Minister and Chairperson of The Marigold Foundation and Honorary President of the Association of Parents of Children with Autism Mrs Michelle Muscat attended the "Autism Speaks" conference, held in New York.

Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organisation.  It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.  

Along with the international autism community, Autism Speaks celebrates their unique global campaign - Light It Up Blue - to commemorate the World Autism Awareness Day.  In fact last April, with the initiative of Mrs Muscat, Malta joined other countries to raise awareness about the disorder and marked World Autism Awareness Day.

To mark this day, the facade of the Auberge de Castille was illuminated blue. Therefore, Malta joined other communities around the globe, illuminating iconic landmarks.