April 5, 2025 – Around 120 representatives of aid organizations of the Order of Malta from all over the world are currently visiting Vienna to take part in the International Hospitaller’s Conference. At the center of the meeting are the exchange about current humanitarian challenges and developments in healthcare. The host of the conference is Josef D. Blotz, the newly appointed Minister of Health of the sovereign Maltese-Knight Order.
A video statement of In Queen Silvia of Swedenthe thematic focus on the topic dementia initiated – one of the great health challenges of our time. The reason for this is their many years of commitment and cooperation with the Maltese order in this area. Queen Silvia emphasized: “55 million people worldwide are affected by dementia – a number that continues to increase. Those affected are increasingly dependent on support from relatives and nurses. This makes dementia care a growing global challenge – especially in aging societies.” The internationally recognized expert expert Dr. Ursula Subong reported in Vienna about the state of initiatives and current research knowledge.
Grand Master Fra ‘John Dunlapthe head of state of the Order of Malta, turned to the participants by live circuit from Rome: “Our world is in the middle of persistent crises and may be faced with the decay of the world order as we have known so far. The Order of Malta has been a synonym for humanitarian aid for centuries. Our mandate remains to be supported by the sick and needy with compassion, justice and care.”
In the further course of the conference, the following topics were dealt with:
- Protection measures for endangered groups, especially children
- Current position assessments and information about the aid measures in the Ukrainein Palestine and Gazaas well as in Libanon
- The worldwide struggle of the order against Human trafficking
- Experience in disaster management using the example of Forest fires in California as well as the Flood disasters in Poland and Spain
Host Josef D. Blotz emphasized the common responsibility of the international community: “Our goal remains to help the weakest and stand up to them. May our cooperation open up new ways of hope, solidarity and resistance. Let us continue to be guided by the principles ‘Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum’ – the testimony of faith and service.”
The sovereign Malteser-Knight Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and Maltaemerged in Jerusalem in the second half of the 11th century, is a primary subsequent subjugation and a Catholic, religious amateur order. His task is to testify to faith and serve the poor and sick. Today the Order of Malta is particularly active in the area of social-medical and humanitarian aid and is present in over 120 countries. Together with 13,500 members, 100,000 volunteers who are supported by around 52,000 doctors, caregivers, qualified nurses and paramedics work. The order operates hospitals, medical centers, outpatient clinics, institutions for older and disabled people, centers for incurable sick as well as social and psychological care projects for migrants and refugees. Malteser International, the international relief organization of the Order of Malta, provides emergency aid for natural disasters and in war situations. In Ukraine, the order currently works in over 70 locations and in neighboring countries. In the Middle East he supports those affected by the conflicts, especially in Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip (in collaboration with the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem), and runs the only hospital with a newborn intensive care unit in Bethlehem. The Italian ambulance corps of the Order of Malta participates in rescue campaigns for migrants in the Mediterranean. The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and apolitical. He maintains diplomatic relationships with 114 countries, official relationships with five other countries and ambassadors’ relationships with the European Union. He has constant observer status at the United Nations and is represented in the most important international organizations. The government of the sovereign Order of Maltese has been based in Rome since 1834. Fra ‘John Dunlap is the 81st Grand Master. www.orderofmalta.int/de
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