Cap. 515 Art. 3Establishment of Council.

(1) There shall be a Council that shall be known as the

Council for Maltese Living Abroad.

(2) The Council shall be the body representing overseas Maltese communities abroad before all entities of the government of Malta, including the public service and any public authority, institution or organisation responsible for implementing policies affecting these communities.

(3) The functions of the Council shall consist of the following:

(a) to monitor the quality of life of overseas Maltese communities;

(b) to strengthen, facilitate and cultivate the ties

*see article 1(2) of this Act, as originally promulgated, and Legal Notice 237 of 2012. between overseas Maltese communities and Malta’s political, cultural, economic and social life;

(c) to ensure effective protection of the rights of overseas Maltese communities;

(d) to facilitate the maintenance of the cultural and linguistic identity of overseas Maltese communities and promote Maltese culture abroad, in particular the teaching of the Maltese language and all aspects of Maltese culture;

(e) to promote the history of Maltese migration in cooperation with the government of Malta;

(f) to maintain ties with all those organisations established by Maltese living abroad and keep a register of organisations established by Maltese living abroad;

(g) to analyse and verify the problems encountered by overseas Maltese communities, including professional and educational training and development, and recognition of qualifications and skills gained in Malta;

(h) to prepare any proposal, or make any suggestion or recommendation relating to legislation or administrative measures as well as international agreements and European Union legal acts affecting the rights and interests of Maltese living abroad;

(i) to promote and encourage studies and research work relating to subjects concerning Maltese living abroad;

(j) to be consulted on and contribute to the drafting of Maltese legislation, administrative measures or policies affecting Maltese living abroad;

(k) to assist cultural centres, libraries, archives, museums, theatres, musical ensembles and creative edifices of overseas Maltese communities by facilitating contacts with the pertinent national entities;

(l) to ensure the development of the business dimension of Malta with overseas Maltese communities;

(m) to provide correct information when requested to overseas Maltese communities living abroad about policies of the government of Malta, as well as about the economic, social, and cultural life in the country;

(n) to enhance connectivity with Malta through contacts with established overseas institutions of excellence in areas such as, but not limited to, education (including university and vocational academics), culture (including film-makers, dance, art, literature, music and intangible heritage), medicine, business, artificial intelligence, professional sportsmen and, or organisations active in major sports disciplines; and

(o) to identify Maltese living abroad who have shown excellence in their professional activity, and to create networks of such persons in order to promote innovation and the sustainable development of Malta.