Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

President of Malta (2014-2019).

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca took the oath of office on 4 April 2014, as the youngest and second woman to become President of Malta, after being active in politics for forty years and serving in Parliament for sixteen years.

Within the Labour Party, she served on the National Executive, as Assistant General Secretary, and as General Secretary. Coleiro Preca is the first-ever and only woman who occupied this important elected position at the highest echelon of a Maltese political party.

On becoming President, Coleiro Preca established a number of entities to nurture dialogue and to foster unity and a culture of positive peace among communities and people.  These include the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, and the President’s Trust.  Coleiro Preca transformed the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca graduated as Bachelor in Legal and Humanities and as Notary Public at the University of Malta.

President Coleiro Preca was awarded the Crans Montana Prix de la Fondation 2014, an award given to prominent personalities who strive for peace, freedom and democracy; the Student Wellbeing and Prevention of Violence Award from Flinders University, and the Agent of Change Award by the United Nations.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is an Honorary Professor at the University of Warwick, Honorary Life President of the Arab-European Forum for Dialogue and Development, and Head of the Executive Advisory Council of the Flinders University Centre of ‘Student Wellbeing &Prevention of Violence’. President Coleiro Preca is also an active Member of the Patron’s Council of ‘Missing Children Europe’, Member of the Council of World Women Leaders, and Member of the Women Political Leaders Global Forum Advisory Board.  President Coleiro Preca has been as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is an acclaimed speaker internationally, and has given keynote speeches at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, UNESCO, ISESCO, IOM, ILO, the UN Alliance of Civilisations, the European Parliament, CHOGM, Crans Montana, and at various renowned universities worldwide.