On May 9 Dr Josianne Farrugia, Chargais d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Malta in Dublin, accompanied Hon Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and at the Department of Health, visiting schools in Galway as part of Europe Day celebrations, coinciding with 50th Anniversary of Ireland signing the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities.

Minister Rabbitte thanked the schools for their efforts in raising interest in and knowledge of the EU, referred to similarities in the Maltese and Irish education system, and spoke about the importance of looking at other EU Member States’ national policies.  As an example, she mentioned the Malta National Autism Strategy 2021-2030 which is being used as a model by Ireland.

Dr Farrugia highlighted the need to respect diversity, and the importance of learning EU languages, both ones’ own as well as others.  She also spoke about aspects of Malta’s culture and traditions.

The Minister and Chargais d’affaires a.i. fielded questions from students on various subjects, including the current conflict in Europe and welcoming new friends from Ukraine in their classroom.