Promoting Foster Care in the Canary Islands
A conference titled Promoting Foster Care in the Canary Islands: Projects and Experiences will take place tomorrow at the University of La Laguna (ULL), hosted by the Government of the Canary Islands’ Directorate General for Child Protection and the ULL’s Institutional Chair for Children and Adolescents. The event starts at 4:00 PM in the Pyramid Hall at the Guajara Campus.
This gathering aims to raise awareness about the realities of foster care, share ongoing research and initiatives, and create a platform for professionals, social entities, foster families, and those interested in child protection.
Sandra Rodríguez González, the director general of Child Protection, will open the conference, emphasising the need to cultivate an environment where children and adolescents can live in a supportive family setting when they cannot stay with their birth families.
Rodríguez stated, “Foster care provides a safe, stable, and loving environment for children when circumstances prevent them from living with their original families. As a public administration, we must continue to sensitise society and support families taking this generous step.”
She added that the event will help dispel myths and highlight the vital role of foster families in child protection. Collaboration among public bodies, the university, and social entities is crucial for advancing foster care in the islands, ensuring vulnerable children grow up in nurturing homes while respecting their rights.
Following the inauguration, author Nuria Santana will present her book from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM, leading into an open discussion for attendees. The Acogfam project will also be showcased—a ULL research initiative exploring factors influencing Canarian people’s willingness to become foster families and its implications for raising awareness.
The conference will conclude with a presentation by COPILE, an association supporting adoptive and foster families in the Canary Islands, highlighting their crucial role in child protection.
Foster care remains the primary protective measure for children and adolescents who cannot live with their families temporarily, promoting emotional and social development in a family environment while working towards possible family reunification.
