The mayor of Tías, José Juan Cruz, and the deputy mayor, Nicolás Saavedra, recently welcomed the delegation from the Croatian collective Status M, who are visiting Lanzarote as part of the European Erasmus+ program. The meeting was coordinated by the Lánzate association, the host entity for the visit, which works for diversity and social cohesion on the island.
José Juan Cruz Saavedra welcomed them and highlighted the importance of **municipalities maintaining a close relationship with social entities** and actively participating in European cooperation initiatives that promote values such as equality, respect, and coexistence.Nicolás Saavedra highlighted the work carried out by the Lánzate association as a "fundamental driver of this international exchange. Its trajectory, community projects, and ability to generate alliances have been key for Lanzarote to consolidate itself as an open, committed, and recognized territory in the field of diversity."
During the meeting, impressions were shared about the social and cultural differences between both territories, addressing issues such as the visibility of the LGBTI+ community, normalization in public spaces, and the role of local administrations as facilitators of inclusive policies.
The Croatian delegation showed a special interest in the collaboration model existing in Lanzarote between institutions and associative fabric, considering it a useful reference for their future work.
From the town hall, it is emphasized that these types of meetings "reinforce the role of municipalities as institutions close to citizens and committed to human rights, while projecting an image of Tías as a municipality involved in European initiatives that promote social inclusion and shared learning."
