4th CONGRESS OF THE SMALL STATES OF EUROPE
The Role of Gender Equality in the Small States of Europe  The National Council of Women of Malta hosted the 4th UNESCO Congress for Women Organisations from the Eight Small States of Europe from the 24 to 27 September 2009 at The Palace Hotel, Sliema. Present were representatives from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco and San Marino. Keynote Speaker was Ms. Esther Eghobamien, Head of Gender Section, Social Transformation Programmes Division, Commonwealth Secretariat whose topic was “Engaging with the Recovery Process Towards Gender Equality and Sustainable Societies”   NCW Grace Attard welcomed the guests at the opening ceremony with the Hon Dr Louis Galea, Speaker of the House of Representatives officially opening the congress in the presence of the British High Commissioner H.E. Ms Louise Jane Stanton, the German Ambassador H.E. Mr Bernd Braun and H.E. Mr Douglas W Kmiec, Ambassador to the United States of America.  Also present were the first lady Ms Margaret Abela, Mrs Catherine Gonzi spouse of the Prime Minister and Mrs Michelle Muscat spouse of the Leader of the Opposition.  The aim of the Congress was to discuss the contribution of women in social and economic areas, in particular in the global financial crisis and its aftermath. The sharing of good practice enabled all participating countries to achieve better results. The debates focused on women’s evolving role in the economy, in decision-making, intercultural dialogue, education, empowerment, in the eradication of violence and the environment in line with EU and international developments  NCW Malta strongly believes that there should be cross pollination of ideas between women's organisations of all regions.
The sessions focused on the following with Cross Cutting Areas – women, youth, the elderly, persons with disability, in the context of globalisation, the EU and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as priorities:
 • General information on Gender Equality and how it relates to Small  States  • Structured  involvement of civil society at national level  • Sharing of good practice  • Opportunities to identify national, regional and global fora on related issues.

The Maltese Experts who contributed to the success of this Congress were: Dr Marthese Portelli, Director at Wasteserv Malta Ltd on Social Implications in Economic Development;
 Dr Joanna Drake, Head of Representation EU Malta Office; Ms Michelle Mallia, President of the Nationalist Party Women’s Movement on Women in Political Decision Making;
The Hon Justyne Caruana on Challenges & Opportunities for Women;
Mrs Helga Ellul, CEO Playmobil, President, Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, NCW Vice-President;
Mr Edwin Calleja, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Maltese Member on Economic Development – National & European Perspective;
Mr Paul A. Attard, President, Board of Governors, MCAST, and Policy Advisor, Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport on Education for a More Equitable Society;
Dr Sue Vella, CEO, The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) Malta;
Mr Gejtu Vella, Secretary General  UHM;
Mr Joseph Farrugia, Director General, Malta Employer’s Association on Employment Opportunities for Women;
Dr Paul Pace, Director, Environmental Education & Research, University of Malta;
Mrs Nadyanne Mangion, NCW Malta Health co-ordinator;
 Mr Vince Attard, CEO Nature Trust, Malta on Sustainable Development  Representatives from each State gave an overview of issues relating to the advancement of women in their Countries.
NCW Executive members moderated the sessions and acted as rapporteurs. Cultural visits were organised for the overseas delegates. NCW Malta would like to thank UNESCO, Air Malta, Malta Tourism Authority, Meridiana Wine Estate, Farsons and Athenaeum Spa by Algotherm for their generous support. Doris Bingley Hon Gen Secretary