One year ago she was reluctant to take up the country’s highest public role. A year later, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca says she does not live in the past and is totally committed to her job.

In comments to The Malta Independent earlier today, Mrs Coleiro Preca said: “I live in the present, not the past. I love everything that I do. I am completely committed, with all my heart, to work for the Maltese and Gozitan people.”

Mrs Coleiro Preca said the first year of her Presidency gave her wide ranging experience, particularly in the context of diversity. “We have been close to the people and we feel their respect for the presidency and the country. We have also continued to witness the solidarity the Maltese are known for.”

She spoke fondly of her experiences with children, whether she visited them in their classrooms or welcomed them at one of the palaces. Mrs Coleiro Preca said she particularly enjoyed speaking with children because they speak their mind. The President also spoke about her positive experiences with NGOs and prisoners.

There were also negative experiences. “It is sad to learn that a person whom we have helped from the Community Chest Fund has passed away.”

The Presidency has undertaken many tasks, including turning the MCCF into a foundation, making it more efficient and accountable, and the setting up of the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, which highlights social issues that need to be looked into and addressed. The President’s Trust is also in the process of being set up. It will aim at helping young people in need to become employable and enjoy dignity. The trust will work closely with the Prince's Trust of the UK, which was set up some 40 years ago by Prince Charles. The presidency is also working on a national NGO platform.

Mrs Coleiro Preca said she wants to consolidate these initiatives and open up more informal education opportunities to children.

She also hoped that the National Identity initiative will be launched by the end of this year and that there would be progress on the Constitutional Reform, which would give modern tools to a modern society.