The Department of Social Welfare, Immigration and Equality of the Arrecife City Council takes a decisive step towards the approval of the regulations of the Sectoral Council for Immigration, an body aimed at promoting the active participation of the immigrant population and strengthening social cohesion in the municipality.
The document that will regulate this participatory body that will be launched for the first time in Arrecife, and that establishes its operation and organization, will be taken this Friday, September 20 to the informative Commission, with a view to being approved in the municipal plenary session to be held next week.
Councilor Maite Corujo, who has highlighted the importance of this Council, points out that it is conceived "as a space for dialogue, cooperation and analysis, whose main objective is to promote the integration and active participation of the immigrant population in the social, cultural and economic life of Arrecife".
Likewise, the councilor informs that it will be a platform to coordinate and improve the services that public institutions and social organizations provide to this group, "thus guaranteeing an efficient response adapted to their needs".
Arrecife, with a population of 68,950 inhabitants (according to 2023 data), is a municipality characterized by its diversity, since more than 20% of its population is of foreign nationality. In the capital of the island, people from more than 90 different nationalities converge, which reinforces the need to have spaces that promote dialogue and cooperation between the public administration, civil society and immigrant associations.
"The Sectoral Immigration Council arises from the need to offer mechanisms that promote participation and give a voice to all groups. The idea is not to apply manual solutions, but to build together from listening, action and learning, adapting to real needs," explains Corujo.
The head of Social Welfare, Immigration and Equality in the capital has insisted on the importance of this step, emphasizing that "this Sectoral Council is an initiative that responds to the reality of our city. We want to offer a space where all immigrant groups can actively participate in the decision-making that affects them, thus strengthening the fabric".
The process for the creation of this Council began in June 2024, when the regulation was submitted to public consultation, showing the commitment of the Arrecife City Council to a participatory approach. "We want inclusive management where citizens can get directly involved. This Council will be a vital tool to create a fairer, more cohesive and supportive Arrecife," adds the councilor.
Once the regulations have been approved in the Plenary Session, the official call will be made to constitute the Sectoral Immigration Council, inviting associations and public and private entities to be part of this important project.
With this new body, the capital's Consistory reaffirms its commitment to the inclusion and active participation of all its citizens, creating spaces that reinforce coexistence and mutual respect.
