News

Order of Malta’s 19th European Hospitallers Conference meet in Prague

Special focus on activities in Eastern Europe

Prague, 18 March 2012 

The European Hospitallers of the Order of Malta, who are responsible for all medical and humanitarian activities of the Grand Priories and National Associations, met in Prague to review the Order of Malta’s works across Europe.  Over 50 delegates from more than 24 countries took part in the three day conference.  The meeting reviewed the medical, social and humanitarian projects developed by the Order of Malta on the continent, and exchanged information and best practices. Also attending were representatives of the three Associations of the Order in the United States, and of the diplomatic missions of the Order of Malta to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

Special sessions included the work of the worldwide relief agency of the Order of Malta for humanitarian aid, Malteser International, and of the Order of Malta volunteer corps in Eastern Europe: Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. The Eastern European countries, whose work has flourished since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, report that care for the Roma, the Sinti and the homeless remains high priority, together with support for disabled children and the sick and lonely elderly in regions where a poor infrastructure leaves many in dire need.