Inclusion message with a difference

Some 150 schoolchildren chattered excitedly as they eagerly waited for the start of the Malta Experience, the first event of their busy cultural outing in Valletta yesterday.

After the show, they set off to see The Knights Hospitallers audiovisual show, the Siege Bell Memorial, the Lower Barrakka Gardens and the Police Academy at Fort St Elmo.

This outing, the sixth edition of the Partners in Culture Valletta Week, was organised by the Equal Partners Foundation in collaboration with schools across Malta and Gozo.

Foundation president Colin Galea said in the past 10 years they had been active in providing support and services to persons with a disability in their community. The foundation provides assistance to some 200 families.

Mr Galea said part of the foundation's policy was to give something back to those who supported its cause. He stressed theirs was not simply a fund-raising campaign but one that focused on creating awareness about children and people with special needs or disabilities.

While addressing a hall packed with schoolchildren, the Prime Minister's wife, Catherine Gonzi, gave a message of inclusion: "Everybody is important, and everyone should have the chance of taking part in everyday as well as special activities."

Mrs Gonzi also spoke about the inclusion of different races and people from different social backgrounds, including those with mental and physical disabilities. Thanks to their open mentality, enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge "children are the hope of society", she said.

As many as 1,600 students will be taking part in this year's Valletta Week, which will run until November 27. For more information about the event, or the foundation, call on 2125 0400; e-mail: info@equalpartners.org.mt, or visit http://equalpartnersmalta.org .