The Conference of Grand Priories, Regents and Presidents of the National Associations of the Sovereign Order of Malta continues in the Magistral Villa on the Aventine Hill in Rome. This day was dedicated in particular to the Order’s main humanitarian activities worldwide and to fundraising strategies for supporting charitable works.

The morning session was opened by Grand Hospitaller Joseph D. Blotz, represented by Chief of Staff Ivo Graziani, who reviewed the major challenges faced in recent years caused by natural disasters, health, poverty and conflicts worldwide. Following, Sophie Löwenstein, Deputy Secretary General “Malteser International”, Cédric Chalret du Rieu, President “Ordre de Malte France”, Luigi Di Iorio, National Director “CISOM”, e Péter Szabadhegÿ, President of “Hungarian Auxiliary Service”, explored the challenges faced by third sector organisations in fundraising.

There was a special focus on Order of Malta Donors for Projects (OMDP), a foundation involved in financing small and medium-size projects promoted by the Order’s entities around the world. Presented by Lorenzo Borghese, member of the Project Evaluation Commission, the OMDP operates on the basis of strict criteria, supporting well-defined proposals from the Order’s associations, embassies or Relief Corps, with the aim of ensuring long-term sustainability and impact. The foundation has already funded eight projects in Albania, Côte d’Ivoire, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Romania, Senegal and Togo, covering areas ranging from health to education and agriculture.

The afternoon session focused on good practices to be adopted in the Order of Malta’s institutional communication, with an overview of strategies, tools and future scenarios. Then the Grand Chancellor introduced a round table on the link between philanthropy and mission of the institution, with international experts from the cultural, scientific and economic worlds: Chairman of Heritage Group Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman of Kühne+Nagel Joerg Wolle and CEO & Founder of Newcleo Stefano Buono were in person, while Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises Pierfrancesco Vago and CEO of EIM Capital Romain Peugeot were in streaming.

The day ended with updates on the protection of the Order’s name and symbols and the presentation of the latest news on the Internal Affairs Manual.

The programme will continue tomorrow with the culminating moment of the Jubilee of the Order: the procession through the Holy Door and Mass in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major.