The Childhood, Adolescence and Family Laboratory, a joint initiative by the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), has revealed that mental health, the risks of new technologies, work-life balance, and access to housing are the primary concerns for social agents in the municipality. These topics were the most frequently raised among the challenges, needs, and proposals put forward by municipal workers, professionals, and social entities.
In addition to these central concerns, the laboratory also addressed other relevant issues such as cultural and family diversity, new gender identities, social vulnerability, educational difficulties, emotional well-being, the prevention of unwanted loneliness, support for families in child-rearing, the facilitation of public resources, and inter-service coordination.
“"Our objective is clear: to build a Santa Lucía that cares, truly listens, and acts decisively on the problems faced by children, adolescents, and families."
Saúl Goyes, Councillor for Childhood and Family, Social and Community Care of the City Council, presented the laboratory, emphasizing its purpose of detecting the needs of these groups. For his part, José Manuel Álamo, facilitator of the initiative and researcher at the ULPGC, explained that the objective of this observatory is to respond to the needs of Social Services from the local level, which is closest to the citizens.
The event included presentations by experts such as Juan Carlos Martín, director of the Master's in Family, Social and Community Intervention and Mediation at the ULPGC, who established the theoretical framework. Practical experience was shared by José Manuel Valenzuela, who presented the community work with minors, adolescents, and families carried out by the Pioneros Foundation in La Rioja for over half a century.
Following this identification phase, the process of systematizing the conclusions to improve municipal policies is now beginning. This Municipal Social Innovation Laboratory is the first action of the Observatory of Social and Community Innovation (OISCO), promoted by the agreement between the council and the University, with the aim of fostering collaborative governance.
