The mayor of Granadilla de Abona, Jennifer Miranda, received the Recognition of Child Friendly City awarded by Unicef to the municipality yesterday. During an event held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, she was joined by the Councilor for Community Welfare, Adán García, along with municipal staff. This accolade is conferred by the Permanent Secretariat of Child-Friendly Cities of Unicef, which includes the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), the University Institute of Needs and Rights of Children and Adolescents (Iundia), and Unicef Spain.
Jennifer Miranda stated that the accolade “marks an important milestone in our unified aim to create a more inclusive Granadilla de Abona dedicated to children and young people, ensuring that their wellbeing and engagement in municipal matters are integral to local policies.” The councillor expressed her appreciation to everyone who contributed to this achievement, acknowledging their dedication and efforts towards enhancing the quality of life for this segment of the Granadilla population.
Adán García elaborated that this recognition is the outcome of collaborative efforts and commended all who have played a role in this process, including the Children and Minors team, the participatory body for children and adolescents, Youth Action, and the internal committee of the Local Children’s Plan, among others. “Our dedication is to continue advancing policies and initiatives that meaningfully enhance the lives of younger generations and, in doing so, benefit our entire society,” stated the mayor.
In the 2024 call for 20 municipalities in Spain that have received this recognition, three are located in the Canary Islands, all of which are from Tenerife: Granadilla de Abona, Candelaria, and San Úrsula.
Unicef Spain and the members of the Permanent Secretariat of Child-Friendly Cities have extended their congratulations to the Granadilla City Council for this honour, expressing appreciation for their efforts and commitment to upholding the rights of children and adolescents.
Consequently, the Granadilla de Abona City Council’s commitment aligns with the five objectives set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, aiming to implement a rights-focused management model at the local level. They will do this through a governance framework that encourages both internal and external coordination, promotes genuine mechanisms for child and adolescent participation, and establishes a long-term strategy to integrate this demographic at the heart of policies and initiatives led by the municipal Corporation.
“Being part of the Child Friendly Cities network represents a shared mission: ensuring that every child and adolescent can achieve their full potential within their cities and communities; because the advancement of childhood equates to the advancement of us all. Investing in childhood yields positive outcomes for both the present and future, fundamentally transforming the reality of society as a whole,” state the local government.
