Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1 May. (Press Europa) –
The Council of La Laguna, through the Department of Social Welfare and Quality of Life along with the Unit for Children and Families, has initiated the ‘The Voice of Childhood’ mailbox. This initiative seeks to visit primary and secondary schools within the municipality to gather the suggestions and concerns of young individuals, ensuring their views are considered in political decisions.
This initiative aligns with one of the strategic objectives of the II Childhood and Adolescence Plan for La Laguna, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a child-friendly city—a recognition awarded by UNICEF, as noted by the Council on Thursday.
The mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, stated that this initiative’s primary aim is “to foster new avenues for active participation” among the younger generation, allowing them to contribute “their bit towards a more inclusive, welcoming city, tailored to their needs.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Social Welfare and Quality of Life, María Cruz, revealed that this mailbox is currently visiting classrooms in eleven schools across La Laguna, covering areas such as Taco, La Cuesta, Tejina, Valle de Guerra, Punta del Hidalgo, and the historic centre, among other locations, including both public and private institutions.
“This comprehensive initiative is part of the strategies outlined in the II Municipal Plan for Children and Adolescents (2023-2027) and is guided by fundamental principles upheld by this local government, such as non-discrimination and the right to participation for all segments of our population,” she added.
All proposals gathered through this initiative will be directed to the Council for Children and Adolescents, ensuring they reach the relevant areas and that appropriate follow-up occurs for each issue raised.
They emphasise that this citizens’ mailbox meets objective 2 of the second childhood plan and objective 2.3, both of which aim to promote children’s participation in awareness, education, meetings, and regulations.