News

President of Lithuania: Order of Malta’s gratitude and appreciation – a significant acknowledgment of all the people of Lithuania

President Dalia Grybauskaitė certificate appreciation
10/12/2018

President Dalia Grybauskaitė received a personal certificate of appreciation from the Grand Master of the Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre Del Tempio Di Sanguinetto for her highly esteemed contribution over the years to the excellent cooperation between Lithuania and the Order of Malta and her tireless support to the social care activities.

According to the President, the certificate is a significant acknowledgment of and a stimulus for all the people of Lithuania to continue devoting their time to the highly meaningful and very much needed mission of the Order of Malta, to provide overall support and assistance to the most disadvantaged and socially vulnerable members of society.

Ambassador Manfred Leo Mautner Markhof of the Order of Malta rendered the letter of appreciation to the President. The President and the Ambassador discussed the activities of the organization, projects of mutual support and their importance to building a socially responsible and compassionate society, as well as the Order’s role in promoting volunteering in Lithuania. The President underlined that joint projects of Lithuania and the Order of Malta provided yet another avenue for cooperation.
The Order of Malta is a permanent partner of the social campaign “For A Safe Lithuania” initiated by the President. It participates in social actions, initiates new day care centers and promotes support to disadvantaged children and the elderly.

The Order of Malta contributes to the annual Christmas Charity Fair held at the initiative of the President and organized by local NGOs, during which money is raised for socially vulnerable people. Dalia Grybauskaitė is also a patron of the Order of Malta’s project to honor and support the Lithuanian Righteous Among the Nations who rescued Jews during WWII.

In 2014, the President was presented with the Collar Pro Merito Melitensi, the highest Sovereign Order of Malta’s order for special merits in promoting charitable activities, voluntary work, humanitarian values, and assistance to those in need. Last year, the President who actively supports activities of the Order was awarded with the Peregrinatio Lourdensis medal.

The Order of Malta with its over 80 thousand volunteers is the world’s oldest relief organization. Since the restoration of Lithuanian independence in 1991, the Order of Malta Relief Organization in Lithuania has been providing humanitarian and social support across the country. It is currently active in 44 towns of Lithuania and has over 1,500 volunteers.
The Ambassador also conveyed congratulations from the Order of Malta on the centennial of Lithuania’s independence.