Alejandro Marichal (CC): “These events allow our children to learn about their rights, put them into practice and acquire the necessary knowledge that will allow them to improve the society in which they live”
The Department of Social Services of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, headed by Dimas Sarmiento, through the Children and Family Program (PROINFA), has today commemorated International Children's Day 2024 with a series of activities aimed at promoting and celebrating the rights of children. This year, the right to associate has been the central theme, seeking to foster in minors the capacity for organization, creativity and collective work.
Today, 140 sixth grade students from the CEIP El Tablero, CEIP Pepe Monagas and CEIP Las Dunas schools took part in the activities that began at the Maspalomas Cultural Centre, where, after a welcome from the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Hall, Marco Aurelio Pérez, and the first deputy mayor, Alejandro Marichal, the children took part in a theatre improvisation workshop focused on the right to associate and other fundamental rights of children. This interactive activity allowed young people to learn about their rights in a fun and engaging way.
Afterwards, the participants moved to the Víctor Miranda Pérez Municipal Pavilion, where they enjoyed a variety of workshops organised by local associations and entities. Among the activities, there was an animal awareness workshop given by the Aurican Association, a sign language workshop offered by ASOR Las Palmas, and other climbing, circus and local sports workshops such as Canarian Bola. These activities promoted learning and coexistence, as well as the discovery of new skills and values.
Training and participatory activities
On the occasion of International Children's Day, the Department of Social Services is promoting a series of other, less recreational activities in schools, which encourage the training and participation of schoolchildren. Thus, last October, 197 students from six schools in the municipality (CEIP Aldea Blanca, CEIP Santa Águeda, CEO Tunte, CEIP Pepe Monagas, CEIP Las Dunas and CEIP San Fernando de Maspalomas) participated in a workshop in which they learned first-hand what an association is, the different types, how it is created and what motivations drive its creation. Once these concepts had been acquired, the students worked on creating their own association according to their interests and the needs of their area of residence.
The programming for International Children's Day 2024 will continue with the Children's Plenary Session, which will be held on November 20 at the Town Hall of Tunte. During this event, 66 students from the CEIP Aldea Blanca, CEIP Santa Águeda and CEO Tunte centers will represent their classmates in a symbolic plenary session. In this activity, the young "councilors" will have the opportunity to present the association that they themselves have designed, addressing the mayor directly and expressing their needs and ideas to improve their environment. Once the day is over, they will be able to enjoy recreational workshops while enjoying a healthy breakfast in the Plaza de Tunte.
Both the mayor and the first deputy mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana congratulated the Department of Social Services for the development of these sessions “which, year after year, allow our minors not only to learn about and work on their rights, but also to put into practice what they have learned, so that they acquire fundamental knowledge to participate in and improve the environment that surrounds them and the society in which they live,” concluded Marichal.
