The Shard, London

Thursday 23 November 2017

18:00 - 19:45

We are delighted that Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the President of Malta, will deliver a special lecture “Ensuring Equity: the importance of wealth redistribution in a globalised world” on Thursday 23rd November at The Shard.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is the ninth President of the Republic of Malta. Her nomination as President was, for the first time in the history of the Maltese National Parliament, approved unanimously by a parliamentary resolution of the House of Representatives, marking a development in the constitutional history of Malta. She took the oath of President of Malta on 4 April 2014.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca graduated with a BA in Legal and Humanistic Studies (International Studies) and a notary public diploma from the University of Malta. She has dedicated her life to the social wellbeing of the most vulnerable in society and was influential in making effective changes in the social policies of Malta. Her Excellency has been active in politics for forty years, starting at the young age of sixteen years. Within the Labour Party, she served as a member of the National Executive, Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary, occupying the latter post between 1982 and 1991. Coleiro Preca is the first-ever, and only woman to occupy this important elected position at the highest echelon of a Maltese political party. She served in Parliament for sixteen years.

Soon after taking office, President Coleiro Preca established a number of bodies to nurture dialogue and to foster unity and a culture of positive peace among people, including: The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation and The President’s Trust which aims to encourage vulnerable young people, experiencing difficulties in life, to improve their lives through education and training.

In September 2016, President Coleiro Preca received the 'Agent of Change' award, conferred by UN Women, in recognition of her work as a champion of gender equality and women's empowerment in the Mediterranean region. She was appointed as an Honorary Professor by the University of Warwick’s Department of Politics and International Studies (PaIS) in May 2015.

The lecture entitled Ensuring Equity: the importance of wealth redistribution in a globalised world will begin at 18:00 and will be followed by a drinks reception during which you will have the opportunity to meet with the speaker and fellow guests. If you would like to attend please book below. Booking is essential as only those registered for this event will be able to gain entry in to the Shard.