The Department of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate for Seniors and Active Participation, is celebrating the 4th Senior Encounter during this month of October. This initiative, which is touring different parts of the Archipelago, aims to foster coexistence, the exchange of experiences, and the active participation of older adults.
The first event took place on Monday, October 19, in La Palma, and this Thursday, October 22, it continues in Tenerife. The event in Tenerife, presented by artist Yaneli Hernández, included a demonstration of the AlGolpito (walking football) project among other activities.
Next week, events will be held in Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, with the latter expected to include participation from seniors from Lanzarote and La Graciosa. The event in El Hierro, originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, was postponed due to weather conditions and will be held soon.
The encounter is part of the programming for the Month of the Senior, which brings together activities across the eight islands with the objective of recognizing the contribution of older adults to Canarian society and reinforcing spaces for relationships, participation, and coexistence. The agenda includes island encounters, intergenerational activities, sports proposals, and training actions.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Candelaria Delgado, highlighted that “older adults are not just recipients of public policies, but protagonists of them. From the Government of the Canary Islands, we want to continue generating spaces where they can participate, contribute their experience, relate, learn, enjoy, and also directly convey their proposals and needs. The Month of the Senior allows us to talk about active aging, rights, participation, and opportunities to continue being part of our society”.
For her part, the Director General for Seniors and Active Participation, Verónica Meseguer, pointed out that “Canarias needs to view aging not as a problem, but as a social reality that offers us opportunities. Older adults have much to contribute, and our commitment is to continue building a more participatory, inclusive, and cohesive Canary Islands with them”.
Meseguer noted that the activities are framed within the Plan Maresía, “which is the document that recognizes diversity, promotes their autonomy and dignity, and generates opportunities for older adults to continue participating fully in the social life of the Canary Islands”.
