The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through the Department of Social Welfare and Inclusion and in collaboration with IES Costa Teguise, inaugurated this Wednesday the III Social Inclusion Conference, under the slogan 'Put yourself in my shoes, put yourself in my place'. The initiative seeks to raise awareness among the entire educational community about diversity and promote values such as empathy, solidarity, and respect, with the participation of numerous associations and entities on the island.
These actions are part of the island's accessibility and inclusion strategy promoted by the island Corporation and are part of the initiatives to be developed within the framework of co-governance, as a model of shared work between the public administration, the educational community, and the island's social fabric.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, and the mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, as well as other municipal representatives.
The Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, pointed out that these conferences have become a shared workspace between the educational and social spheres, "in which students can approach diverse realities through direct experience and contact with those who work daily in inclusion." In this regard, he explained that the event began with a Christmas carol in sign language, a new feature for this edition, and will continue with workshops, exhibitions, talks, and round tables.
Acuña specifically highlighted the role played by third-sector entities, whose participation is crucial for the program's development. "The IES Costa Teguise drives the initiative, provides the space, and articulates the educational proposal. Furthermore, it is the associations and social groups that make a large part of the activities possible, altruistically taking on the implementation of workshops and practical actions," he indicatedThe counselor also emphasized that these entities provide direct knowledge of social reality and professional experience that allows for working on inclusion from real situations. "They are deeply sensitized organizations, which participate constantly and in coordination with the educational community, and which allow students to understand inclusion from practice and not from theoretical concepts," he added.For her part, the mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, valued the celebration of these workshops in the municipality and the role played by IES Costa Teguise as a meeting point between education and social action. "These types of initiatives allow us to work on inclusion from an early age, involving students, families, and social entities that carry out their daily work in the municipality and throughout the island," she noted.
This Thursday, December 18, the first inclusive race will be held, with the participation of several special education classrooms from the island, on an adapted circuit, where values of coexistence, solidarity, and respect among participants will be fostered. This activity seeks to combine awareness, sport, and collaboration among the entire educational community.
Throughout both days, attendees will be able to participate in practical art and music therapy workshops, talks, stage performances, and roundtables that will address topics related to functional diversity, mental health, autism, the LGTBIQ+ community, and educational inclusion. Additionally, there will be interactive spaces where students and families can learn firsthand about the work of participating associations and share inclusion experiences.
