The Civil Society Committee within MCESD is distinct in its identity since it brings together a diverse spectrum of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It offers timely and effective debates and discussions on issues of concern to the many parties participating. The conversations are facilitated by MCESD. Mr Ben Rizzo is the Chairperson of the Civil Society Committee.
The Sectors
Consumer Affairs
In the Civil Society Committee (CSC), this sector, is represented by the Association for Consumer Rights (ACR). If a person feels that their rights have not been upheld, the ACR offers guidance on how to seek remedy. Through this representation, the CSC ensures that consumers’ opinions are taken into consideration when making critical decisions that have a broad impact on society.
Representative: Ms. Catherine Camilleri
Substitute: Ms. Grace Attard
The sector of Health, Elderly and Pensioners is one of the largest within the Civil Society Committee. Any registered Voluntary Organisation (VO) with a remit concerning health, elderly or pensioners is eligible to contribute to this sector. Issues related to anything concerning health and well-being of citizens as well as the elderly and pensioner populations in Malta, are brought to the table of the Civil Society Committee for discussion and eventually present suggestions to Government.
Representative: Ms. Norma Camilleri
Substitute: Ms. Mariella Buontempo
Gender Equality
The Civil Society Committee sees to it that issues regarding the equality of rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for people of all genders are raised.
The committee includes a representative of the National Council of Women of Malta (NCW). This Council supports gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Representative: Ms. Mary Gaerty
Substitute: Ms. Martina Farrugia
Professions
The professional sector has been represented within the Civil Society Committee since the MCESD law has been changed in 2012. Every registered profession has a voice in the Civil Society Committee, and this sector can be highly valuable to the Committee when combined with other sectors.
Representative: Mr. Benjamin Rizzo
Substitute: Ms. Helga Pizzuto
Education, Social and Community Advancement
This sector represents Voluntary Organizations that provide educational and cultural programs as well as different types of social support to vulnerable citizens. It is targeted at individuals and families who are experiencing financial and social difficulties. This sector through its participation in the Civil Society Committee, promotes a healthy society that cares for the well-being of all.
Representative: Fr. Ivan Attard
Substitute: Ms. Stephania Dimech Sant
Sports
This sector within the Civil Society Committee is represented by The Touring Club Malta which has a representative on the Committee. It deals with the issue of sustainability from both a consumer and an environmental aspect. Its mission in society is to create a sense of responsibility in motorhome owners by instructing them on the code of ethics, road safety, and safe driving.
Representative: Dr. Philip Agius
Substitute: Mr. Charles Bartolo
Agriculture
This committee sector’s duty is to be a voice for the protection and cultivation of Maltese flora, which includes several indigenous and endemic plants, shrubs, and trees in various settings.
This industry is represented by the Malta Beekeepers’ Association, which is dedicated to fostering, among other areas, education, knowledge, and appreciation of honeybees with the general public.
Representative: Mr. Emanuel Xuereb
Substitute: Mr. Mark Psaila
Persons with Disability
The Civil Society Committee addresses issues affecting persons with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full potential in all aspects of their lives and have a great quality of life as a result of equal chances.
This sector is represented by the Malta Federation of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (MFOPD), which is made up of 35 enrolled non-governmental organisations that work with and for individuals with disabilities.
Representative: Ms. Marthese Mugliette
Substitute: Mr. Ronald Galea
Environmental protection and improvement, incl. the protection of animals, culture, arts and national heritage
This sector is in charge of the national heritage and the environment in its broadest sense. Talks on the environment, on which our livelihood, health, and economy rely, as well as discussions on culture, arts, and national heritage, which contribute to our distinctive identity, take place on a regular basis during Civil Society Committee meetings.
Representative: Mr. James Licari
Substitute: Perit Alex Torpiano
Youths and Students
The youth and students sector represents a generation of young people and youth organisations who are engaged in both local and global issues. Its goal is to promote inclusive policies among many stakeholders. The Civil Society Committee guarantees that the opinions of young people are heard and included in critical decisions affecting our society as a whole.
Representative: Ms. Annalisa Schembri
Substitute: Ms. Veronika Sytnyk
Local Councils
Local councils are represented in the Civil Society Committee by the Local Councils’ Association. The goal is to preserve and promote the local councils’ common interests, as well as to give a shared vision for enhanced quality of life for citizens in their communities.
Representative: Mr. Mario Fava
Substitute: Mr. Anthony Chircop
Other Voluntary Organisations
The Civil Society Committee represents a diverse spectrum of volunteer organisations from all walks of life. The St John Rescue Corps, an organisation whose volunteers are at the forefront of supporting authorities in times of emergency, presently represents this sector. Volunteer organisations who believe they are underrepresented on the Civil Society Committee may contact MCESD.
Representative: Mr. Christopher Borg Cardona
Substitute: Mr. Gregory Ellul
List of all Civil Society Committee Members
2022 – 2024
| Consumer Affairs | ||
| Association for Consumer Rights Malta | Catherine Camilleri | Representative |
| Grace Attard | Substitute | |
| Health Elderly and Pensioners | ||
| Association of Speech-Language Pathologists | Norma Camilleri | Representative |
| Malta Association of Public Health Medicine | Mariella Buontempo | Substitute |
| Gender Equality | ||
| National Council of Women | Mary Gaerty | Representative |
| Malta Women’s Lobby | Martina Farrugia | Substitute |
| Professions | ||
| Malta Federation of Professional Associations | Benjamin Rizzo | Representative |
| Helga Pizzuto | Substitute | |
| Youth and Students | ||
| Kunsill Nazzjonali Żgħażagħ – KNŻ | Veronika Sytnyk | Representative |
| JCI Malta | Annalisa Schembri | Substitute |
| Sports | ||
| Touring Club Malta | Dr Philip Agius | Representative |
| Charles Bartolo | Substitute | |
| Agriculture, Rural and Fisheries | ||
| Malta Beekeepers Association | Emanuel Xuereb | Representative |
| Mark Psaila | Substitute | |
| Environmental Protection and Improvement, incl the Protection of Animals, Culture, Arts and National Heritage | ||
| The Malta Association of Conservator – Restores( MAPCO-RE) | James Licari | Representative |
| Din l-Art Ħelwa | Perit Alex Torpiano | Substitute |
| Persons with Disability | ||
| Malta Federation of Organisation Persons with Disability | Marthese Mugliette | Representative |
| Ronald Galea | Substitute | |
| Education, Social and Community Advancement | ||
| Anti-Poverty Forum | Fr Ivan Attard | Representative |
| N/A | N/A | Substitute |
| Local Councils | ||
| Local Councils’ Association | Mario Fava | Representative |
| Anthony Chircop | Substitute | |
| Other | ||
| St. John Rescue Corps | Christopher Borg Cardona | Representative |
| N/A | Substitute | |