SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16th April, (EUROPA PRESS) –
Organizations associated with the Strategic Plan for multicultural coexistence ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ gathered yesterday at the Fairgrounds for the inaugural conference ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’. The event was graced by the presence of Águeda Fumero, Minister of Social Affairs, Citizenship Participation, and Inclusion at the Cabildo of Tenerife.
“It is crucial to address the cultural diversity on the island in an inclusive manner by working collaboratively across different sectors. The fact that individuals from Public Administration, education, and the third sector are participating in this inaugural seminar ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ is significant as it shows our collective commitment to progress. We aim for the Strategic Plan for multicultural coexistence ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ to be a continuous effort on the island, therefore, it’s essential for us to engage and continue enhancing it,” explained the councillor.
This marks the first collaborative gathering of the entities involved in the ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ Plan, initiated by Together in the Same Direction, a strategy for multicultural coexistence in Tenerife, supported by the Island Council and the University of La Laguna. Specifically, the municipalities of Adeje, Buenavista del Norte, Granadilla de Abona, and Puerto de la Cruz are implementing this plan; the educational institutions IES El Médano, IES Montaña de Guaza in Arona, and CEIP Salamanca in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; and the El Buen Samaritano Canarian Foundation.
Through the interaction during this initial joint meeting of these entities, experiences and specific challenges in managing cultural diversity were shared, with the objective of identifying common grounds to form alliances that facilitate every individual’s recognition of their diversity and their ability to contribute equally to Tenerife’s socioeconomic progress.
All these processes under ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ emphasise the need for mutual interest among all stakeholders to promote acceptance and inclusion for sustainability over time. Moreover, collaborative efforts are required to establish a unified approach for effective management. Listening to all parties involved is fundamental for fostering harmonious coexistence, along with the assistance provided by Together in the Same Direction.
According to the director of this initiative, Vicente Zapata Hernández, “the collaborative work between Together in the Same Direction, municipalities, educational institutions, and projects that have joined this strategic plan has a solid foundation on the island. The shared experiences from this initial meeting serve as a basis for further growth, fostering teamwork to enhance and strengthen ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ and consequently, the entire island.”
This illustrates that while the island is united by its cultural diversity, these entities through ‘Tenerife Embraces Diversity’ are taking steps towards managing multiculturalism for the sake of social inclusion. With the full endorsement of the Cabildo of Tenerife’s plenary session, this strategic plan has been developed with the input of over 300 culturally diverse individuals, incorporating their insights, and drawing on the experience of the island’s strategy for multicultural coexistence, Together in the Same Direction, launched in 2009.
