Mr Matthew Vella was born in 1989. He studied at the University of Malta where he was awarded a Bachelor of Honours in Social Work, followed by a Masters qualification in Family Studies. His areas of specialisation include social planning and auditing, community development and services, regulations and policy development. As from 2018, Mr Vella has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Social Care Standards Authority, and previously from 2015 as a Director of Corporate Services in the Ministry for Economy, Investment and Small Businesses. His career within the Public Service started as a social worker in Children Services. Recent contributions within the Public Service are the establishment of the Social Regulatory Standards for Social Welfare Services and the Strategic Vision 2020-2027 Striving for Excellence: Driving Social Innovation through Regulation. Mr Vella has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing and the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing in December 2020. In December 2021 the latter was redesignated to the Ministry for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations. In January 2022 Mr Vella was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education and Sports. In April 2022 Mr Vella was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research.

My journey through law and international relations has been a blend of academic passion, leadership, and practical experience. As a Legal Trainee with the Government of Malta, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to human rights research and legislative drafting. These roles have given me firsthand insight into how legal frameworks shape societies, especially in areas like trademark disputes and human rights law. Beyond academics, my involvement in Model United Nations (MUN) has allowed me to apply my legal studies in real-world diplomatic simulations. I’ve represented countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela at MUN conferences across Europe, discussing critical issues from genetically modified organisms and civilian rights in conflict zones to the geopolitics of the Arctic and the Korean Peninsula. These experiences honed my skills in diplomacy, crisis management, and resolution drafting, which led to awards such as Outstanding Delegate at MUNLawS in Slovenia and Best Crisis Management at MUNUSAL in Spain. I’ve also embraced leadership roles in various organizations. As Executive Secretary of Malta Model United Nations Society (MaltMUN), I led executive members within their roles, assisting the President, oversaw logistics, corresponded with stakeholders, helped maintain the image of the Society and helped plan the Annual Conference and manage delegations for international conferences through my time as International Officer in the year prior. Additionally, my time as Financial Officer for the Malta National Youth Council (KNŻ) helped me develop a deeper understanding of budgeting and sponsorships for youth initiatives, while my role as Public Relations Officer for Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi strengthened my communication and public engagement skills, which both helped create a better experience for youth, particularly influencing my initiatives within MaltMUN. In addition to my legal pursuits, I’ve always had a passion for the performing arts. Being in the University Students of Performing Arts (USPA) as Educational and International Coordinator, and President was an incredibly fulfilling experience, where I was able to advocate for and represent my fellow students in creative fields. I have also crafted innovative environmental solutions at the JEF Malta Air Pollution Hackathon, where I won First Place, and continuously strived to elevate legal discussions on an international stage, especially considering I will be partaking in further MUN Conferences next November, in Cambridge, UK and Bonn, Germany, as well as in Leuven, Belgium and Salamanca, Spain, in March.

Nikki Petroni pursued postgraduate studies in Art History at University College London (UCL). She completed a Ph.D. in Maltese Modern art at the University of Malta in 2019 under the supervision of Prof. Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci. Petroni is a visiting lecturer in Modern and Contemporary art in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta and is the Education and Development Executive at Arts Council Malta. She was the curator of the APS Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale and was Coordinator of the Strada Stretta Concept (Valletta Cultural Agency). Petroni is an independent researcher, curator, and editor of several academic essays, books, and exhibition catalogues. Recent publications include “Art and Identity Caught Between Two Powers: How Dante’s Image Became a Symbol of Colonial Resistance in Malta” (Routledge, forthcoming 2025), “Political intent in the work of Norbert Francis Attard: Aesthetic and Thematic Categories” (2023), ‘The Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale: Mediterranean Goddesses’ (co-edited with Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci. Malta: Horizons, 2023), “Altering Alters: Contemporary art at the divine threshold” (2022), and ‘Oliver Friggieri: Bejn Kliem u Linji’ (co-authored with Terence Portelli. Valletta: Klabb Kotba Maltin, 2022).

Sri Lankan-born and raised in the UK, Jay Rajakariyar moved to Malta four years ago, where he founded Sliema Fight Co., now one of Malta’s leading fitness communities. With no prior business experience, he raised around €30,000 from a collection of Angel Investors to launch the club, which has since grown into a thriving training hub for athletes, including members of the National Kickboxing Team and the current WBF Heavyweight Intercontinental Title holder. In 2024, he won the JCI Malta Creative Young Entrepreneur Award and is now focused on expanding the business across Malta while incorporating technology into the training of athletes to improve performance.

Chris Mercieca is a creative entrepreneur and founder of Happy Pot – a sustainable brand offering customizable, eco-friendly 3D-printed plant pots, merging design, sustainability, and business innovation.

Martina Oliva, a 20-year-old student at the University of Malta, is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and social wellbeing. Currently, she serves as a coordinator for the Mediterranean Children’s Movement Children’s Council and is part of the supporting team at the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, contributing to various projects within the Foundation. Her journey began in 2018 with the European Network of Young Advisors (ENYA). Shortly after, she joined the Children’s and Young Persons’ Council at the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), serving as a member until 2022. During this time, she also represented Malta on the Eurochild Children’s Council (ECC) from 2019 to 2022. Martina has been actively participating in, facilitating, and organizing various activities, discussions, events, and conferences on Children’s Rights and Participation, both at national and international levels. Over the years, she has contributed to written reports and developed child-friendly, accessible materials, ensuring that all children have the right to access information and feel meaningfully included in decision-making processes.

I am an educator by profession and an active citizen by passion, committed for over a decade to fostering global solidarity and empowering communities through education and advocacy. My work has taken me from school classrooms to refugee camps, where I have witnessed the transformative power of human connection and shared knowledge. My journey began with Right to Smile, where I discovered the transformative experience of overseas volunteering in Kenya and India. Currently, as a board member, I focus on international projects that focus on education and community development, firmly believing that every child deserves the right to education and the right to smile. As the Awareness Raising & Reconciliation Coordinator with Jesuit Refugee Service, I bring JRS into the community through walkabouts, focusing on bridging divides and building just relationships between migrant and host communities. We deliver reconciliation workshops and facilitate dialogue sessions and circles in diverse settings, from schools to parishes and also in refugee camps, creating safe and brave spaces for open dialogue and connection. I believe real change happens when we open our minds, hearts, and hands to one another. While individual efforts are powerful, nothing beats the magic of a united community. Together, let’s harness our shared humanity to create a safer and more just world for all!

My role at Dar Hosea is that of Leader of Services, where I have been involved since 2018. Dar Hosea is an organisation for women who have been involved in sexual exploitation and prostitution, through which they may benefit from a sense of self-worth, empowerment, and fulfilment. I am a senior social worker who has been practicing for the past nine years, with a particular interest in the fields of sexual exploitation and gender based violence, and derive my motivation from the struggle for social justice and ensuring human rights for all. I am also an occupational psychology practitioner, and employ my knowledge to support the service at the dedicated team behind Dar Hosea.

Lon Kirkop is a Maltese multimedia artist, singer-songwriter, TV host/producer, and published author. In recent years, Lon has made notable strides in music, successfully competing in some of Malta’s most prestigious music contests as a lyricist, composer, and singer. His song “Straight,” for which he wrote both the lyrics and music, was a finalist in this year’s edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu and became an instant sensation. It was widely praised for its raw emotion and powerful lyrics, sparking meaningful conversations about its subject matter. In the literary world, Lon’s debut novel Mitt Elf Isem Ieħor: HappyVeganGirlJules (A Hundred Thousand Other Names: HappyVeganGirlJules) won the Literary Contest for Novels for Youth. His second book, Fil-Ħajja Li Jmiss u Drammi Oħra tat-Triq (Another Life and Other Street Plays), earned the drama category prize at the National Book Prize. At last year’s ceremony, he was also recognized with the prestigious Best Emerging Author Award. Beyond his accomplishments in music and literature, Lon produces a daily TV game show and co-hosts the popular daily TV magazine program Indigo.

Tina (Martina Camilleri, b. 1996) is driven by values of social justice, dynamic communities, and environmental sustainability. With a B.A. Honours in Fine Art and currently pursuing an M.A. in Social Practice Art and Critical Education, Martina’s academic, volunteer, and musical experiences intersect with her passion for creating moments of connection and reflection within civil society. Introduced to volunteering nearly a decade ago, first with YMCA and later with Electronic Music Malta (EMM), where she remains active, Tina explores the diverse applications of art in fostering meaningful collaborations and moments of engagement. Her passion for electronic and world sounds have also continued to informs her collaborative and creative practice. Since 2021, she has been committed to understanding and promoting community engagement in her role at the Gabriel Caruana Foundation (GCF). Alongside the GCF team, she has led initiatives with multicultural groups, including resident communities, artists, and cultural practitioners, such as coordinating ‘Layers of Being’, a three-year project awarded the President’s Fund for Creativity and supported by Arts Council Malta. Tina continues to harness art practices as a tool for positive social change and collective action.

Emma Brownrigg Fenech is pursuing a BA (Hons) in journalism, fueled by local politics. With a strong commitment to empowering young voices, she combines her experience in journalism, public speaking, and activism to drive meaningful change

With a background in psychology and a focus on transcultural counselling, I have a strong interest in understanding behavior and nature. Currently, I am dedicated to improving animal welfare in Malta through an NGO that advocates for kindness and prevents cruelty. My mission is to promote animal well-being within the community and through the work carried out at our premises, striving to foster compassion and responsible care for animals across cultural contexts.

Maria Luisa Catrambone brings over 10 years of experience in the humanitarian sector being the youngest woman to ever coordinate SAR Operations in the Mediterranean accompanied by expertise spanning from Operational and Project Management, Social Media Marketing, PR, Crisis Management, Research & Data Analysis, and Maritime/Urban Search and Rescue. Her focus lies in re-purposing and optimising technology and artificial intelligence for humanitarian purposes. She also developed the MOAS App, designed to foster a stronger community and enable individuals to contribute to humanitarian efforts with a simple click.

Chloë is an intersectional human rights and climate activist. Starting her activism journey at the age of 9 by forming part of her primary student’s council in Gozo, she found her passion in serving the human family, which led her to engage in various local, national and international organisations and platforms. For the past four years, she has held several positions in the National Youth Council of Malta (KNŻ), representing and advocating for Gozitan and Maltese youths. She also formed part of Malta Model United Nations (MaltMUN), firstly as Events Officer and later as President of the organisation. Chloë is an alumna of Women2Women, where she has returned twice to the annual university to volunteer as a Staff Member and Team Leader.

Andrew Schembri is the co-founder of Żibel, a pioneering NGO dedicated to cleaning Malta’s seas and raising environmental awareness. He also works in the retail and distribution sector.

What started as a simple Facebook-organised beach cleanup has grown into a nationwide movement. Andrew used his experience in the family business to help him build Żibel into a successful NGO that bridges the gap between activists, the private sector, and the public.

From tackling sea pollution head-on by collecting waste from Malta’s seabeds to introducing innovative recycling solutions, Żibel is transforming challenges into opportunities.

I am Christa Cilia, a passionate volunteer with 10 years of experience in dog rescue. Committed to improving the lives of dogs in need, I have adopted 24 dogs and devote my time and energy to fostering, rehabilitating, and finding loving homes for the ones I rescue.

My work in social work stands out in the Personal Achievement and Accomplishment category due to my consistent dedication to leading initiatives that create lasting change for vulnerable populations. Through innovative leadership and a deep commitment to advocacy, I have empowered individuals and transformed communities, with each project rooted in my mission to serve humanity. One of my most significant achievements is founding the Palliative Care Youth Movement in Kerala, which mobilized over 1,000 volunteers to provide compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families. This initiative not only provided care but also empowered youth to engage in social work, with many volunteers continuing their careers in welfare roles. By addressing both emotional and psychological needs, the movement created a legacy of dignity and love for patients and their families. In Malta, my leadership in migrant and asylum seeker integration has been another key accomplishment. By developing comprehensive care plans addressing health, education, employment, and mental well-being, I have supported hundreds of migrants in rebuilding their lives. My work has contributed to the successful integration and improved quality of life for many, while also strengthening social cohesion and advocating for policies that safeguard their dignity and rights. Disability advocacy has been another core focus of mine. Over the past five years, I have volunteered with Agenzija Sapport – Sharing Lives, supporting the integration of individuals with disabilities. I also accompanied a group of youths with disabilities to Switzerland for an international exchange program, fostering inclusion and understanding. My work in disability advocacy has strengthened social bonds within the community. Additionally, I have organized and led significant conferences, such as the Voluntary Organizations’ Conclave and the IPCAI conference, facilitating collaboration and innovation in social care. The Conclave connected over 100 NGOs in Karnataka, and I continue to support these organizations in building international connections through my professional portfolio, helping them expand their impact globally. Through all of these efforts, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to sustainable, community-driven solutions. The long-term networks and structures I have established continue to benefit the communities I serve. My dedication to service, leadership, and advocacy, combined with tangible results, makes me a strong candidate for recognition in the field of social work.

Mariah Zammit is a 22-year-old activist and digital communications manager, passionate about social justice, mental health, and the transformative power of communication. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Hons) and is pursuing a Master in Public Policy by research, focusing on the psychological dimensions of media and public opinion. With over seven years of activism, she serves as the President of the National Youth Council of Malta, advocating for youth rights and well-being. Mariah thrives on collaboration, always striving to drive meaningful change through storytelling and community action.

Francine Farrugia is a dedicated community leader, Local Councillor in Siġġiewi, Malta, and entrepreneur, with expertise in Finance, Management, Education, and Entrepreneurship. She holds a BA in International Business Administration, an MBA, and is currently pursuing doctoral research on the competitive behavior of small organizations. Passionate about sustainable development, Francine is actively involved in policy-making and community initiatives, advocating for gender equality, education, and local development. She also manages her entrepreneurial business Il- Mafkar Gift Box, and is committed to inspiring others to engage in leadership roles.

Alex Borg MP (born 10 July 1995) is a lawyer and Maltese Member of Parliament. In April 2022, he was appointed shadow minister for Gozo. Borg ran on the 13th District during the 2022 Maltese General Election. He obtained 6,108 first preference votes, beating some incumbent and high-ranking politicians in his own party and getting the highest number of first preference votes across all the districts after Party Leader Bernard Grech.

As a strong student activist, Michael is a 20-year-old 3rd year law student from Malta and working as a Legal Trainee. His journey in youth activism began with the Mini European Assembly, which he participated in and organized amongst other projects as the Project Lead Coordinator at the National Student Travel Foundation (NSTF). Following this, he has participated in over 25 conferences, simulations, and moot courts, and is the current Secretary-General of MaltMUN, having organised the 2024 Conference. He has also been involved in several organisations taking up various positions, currently serving as the President for JEF Malta, having spearheaded the organisation and moderated the largest MEP candidate debate earlier this year, and is the EU Careers Senior Ambassador for the University of Malta.

Hon. Ms. Rebecca Buttigieg currently serves as Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms within the Office of the Prime Minister. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Malta and furthered her studies at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 2015 with an MSc in Global Crime, Justice, and Security. Hon. Buttigieg began her career at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and later gained international experience as a Policy Officer at the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union during Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In 2017, she became a Spokesperson for the Ministry for Economy, and most recently, for the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security, and Law Enforcement. She contested the general election for the first time in 2022 and was subsequently elected to Parliament. Ms. Buttigieg is married to Andrea and has a daughter, Valentina.

Jorge Grech is one of youngest Mayors in Malta elected for the second mandate in the role. Considering his tenure age, he always showed leadership skills and was involved in several roles within his locality and on other social platforms. 

His first involvement started in school students committees and local committees within the Zabbar Parish, Band Club & Football Club. Jorge served as a youth president for several years, while he also served as the youth representative within the National Bands Association and within the same committee they founded the National Youth Band. 

He was also a participant and leader for more than 20 youth exchanges, with their agenda varying within music & culture, youths and sports , sustainability, technology and politics. 

Recently he is now representing Malta for the CLGF- Commonwealth Local Council Forum  and the Council of Europe as Malta’s young elected Mayors. 

Being the first Kapo Mastru graduate in Malta, his studies in conservation and restoration opened him a vast number of opportunities to work for several national projects within Heritage Malta and Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.  

His interest in arts and creativity made him also create and work with other artists on various street art and other art pieces within his locality, with the most internationally viral piece being the Pandemic Heroes. Which was also chosen by the Central Bank of Malta to be used on a commemorative coin.

Jorge is also passionate about sports and training, especially for cycling and running.

James Wilford Caruana is a passionate biomedical engineer and PhD candidate at the University of Nottingham. With a deep interest in developing cutting-edge medical devices, James is redefining neonatal care through innovations in additive manufacturing and droplet-based microfluidics. He has earned prestigious accolades for his research, including the Royal Society of Applied Polymers Prize, and has a diverse background in industry and academia. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of healthcare, he continually seeks ways to merge science and technology to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Dylan Attard is dedicated to nurturing a thriving local med-tech and digital health industry, a mission he pursues through the Malta Med-Tech World Summit. His vision encompasses the development of a larger and more resilient local med-tech sector, with a focus on ensuring its long-term sustainability and growth. In addition, he aspires to extend Med-Tech’s global footprint by orchestrating a series of roadshow events worldwide. These initiatives are aimed at forging deeper connections between startups and a wider network of potential investors and partners, thereby propelling the industry to new heights.

Dr. Dylan Attard, a surgical trainee by background, now spearheads the Med-Tech World Summit. Transitioning from a career in surgery to entrepreneurship in the MedTech field, the 30-year-old serves as the CEO of the Med-Tech World Summit, driven by a threefold mission.

Firstly, the summit endeavours to position Malta as a burgeoning centre for med-tech innovation. Secondly, it is committed to forging connections between startups and potential investors, thereby fostering their growth. Lastly, it is dedicated to the establishment of sustainable med-tech enterprises, offering support in the process of selling their solutions to hospitals and clinics.

I am a medical student at the University of Malta with a strong interest in both research and healthcare. Alongside my studies, I work as a Research Support Officer at the University of Malta on the RAPIDE project, where I’m involved in exploring ways to improve patient care during pandemics. Together with my incredible colleagues and friends, I founded the Malta Neurological Students’ Society (MNSS) with the vision of raising awareness about neurological diseases while fostering a passion for research among students. Over the past three years, we have not only launched impactful social media campaigns to educate the public on conditions affecting the nervous system, but also provided students with structured opportunities to conduct research through reviews. These efforts have resulted in several publications and conference presentations, but more importantly they have helped contirbute to students growth and professional development.