The plenary session of the Cabildo of Lanzarote approved this Tuesday the creation of the first Island Council of the Elderly of Lanzarote and La Graciosa (CIPM), as well as its operating regulations.
During his speech at the plenary session, the president of the corporation, Oswaldo Betancort, congratulated all the senior citizens' associations on the island "for joining forces, being participatory in the drafting of this regulation". Betancort stressed that "we are facing a historical event since it is the first time that a regulation for the elderly of Lanzarote and La Graciosa is approved to promote the participation of this beloved group and promote active policies that improve their quality of life".
The president also congratulated the councilors of Social Welfare and the Area of the Elderly, Marci Acuña and Nori Machín, respectively, as well as the technicians of both departments "for putting all their effort and dedication so that today we can approve this council and its regulations, without a doubt, a milestone for the society of Lanzarote and Graciosa".
The creation of the Island Council of the Elderly of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, as an advisory body, represents an important step forward in the social participation of this group and in its recognition, allowing the value of their experience to be made available to the society of Lanzarote and Graciosa. Likewise, in order to increase intergenerational solidarity mechanisms, the participation of the elderly in the development of projects aimed at promoting their quality of life and improving their social welfare should be promoted.
In this sense, the Minister of Social Welfare, Marci Acuña, stressed that "it is extremely important to give voice and listen to our elders and, with the implementation of this highest participatory body, jointly design policies to meet all the demands of the group and work to solve their main needs".
For her part, the Councilor for the Elderly and Interpersonal Relations, Nori Machín, expressed her pride in bringing to this plenary session the creation and regulation of the Island Council for the Elderly of Lanzarte and La Graciosa. "But what makes me most proud is to do it hand in hand and with the consensus of the entire group," she said. "You will be the protagonists of this body, you will be the voice and those who mark the way forward for politicians and public administrations," said the councilor.
More than 18,000 seniors
On the island of Lanzarote and La Graciosa there are more than 18,000 elderly people who represent more than 13% of the total population. This growth implies a greater need for social and socio-health services, as well as other services and activities in order to maintain a good level of quality of life.
Hence the importance of the Island Council of the Elderly of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, whose fundamental objective is to improve the quality of life of the group and ensure their rights, needs and demands. This council has an advisory nature and is formed as any island body of this corporation, and therefore will have a president, a vice president, a secretary, and representatives of each of the sixteen associations of the elderly that exist on the island.
The Island Council is committed in this way to promote the participation of our elders in public life and their active incorporation in all areas of social life.
