The anniversary has coincided with the inauguration of 48 new councillors who will represent the voice of all children in the protection system of Mallorca.
The Conseller de Benestar Social del Consell de Mallorca and president of the Institut Mallorquí d’Afers Socials (IMAS), Guillermo Sánchez, has presided over the act of constitution of the Consell de la Infancia y la Adolescencia del IMAS 2024-2025, in which 48 new councillors, aged between 9 and 17, have been appointed to represent all the children and adolescents who are currently under some measure of protection by the Consell de Mallorca.
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The IMAS Council for Children and Adolescents celebrates its 10th anniversary
‘Today is a historic day. A day in which, in addition to the constitution of the new IMAS Council for Childhood and Adolescence, we celebrate 10 years of its implementation. Behind it, there is the effort of a whole team of professionals whom I would like to thank for the work they do to give continuity to spaces such as this one, which is based on the right of children and adolescents to be heard and to be able to express themselves freely. This helps us to know their concerns, opinions and dreams so that we can offer them services tailored to their needs and improve the care we give them, said councillor Guillermo Sánchez.
In 2014, the 1st IMAS Council for Childhood and Adolescence was created, which was also the first participatory body made up of children with some form of protection measure in the whole of Spain. Since then, it has served as a model for territories such as the Basque Country and Valencia, which have also set up their own.
‘For too long, child protection has focused on the adult perspective, on the perspective of those who think they know what is best for them. But the best way to protect a child indeed is to listen to them, to understand their reality and to empower them to be the protagonists of their well-being. This Council is not a mere formality, it is a fundamental paradigm shift,’ said the president of IMAS, who also thanked the new councillors for ’your involvement in making the Council for Childhood and Adolescence as fruitful as possible. Both you, who today become councillors, and your predecessors, represent all children in adoption, residential or family foster care and, therefore, you have a great responsibility. You must feel very satisfied with your work. I am proud.
The island director of Centres and Programmes of Comprehensive Care for Children and Adolescents of IMAS, Magdalena Ramis, the director of the Balearic Office for Children and Adolescents, the former presidents of IMAS, Sofía Alonso and Javier de Juan, as well as representatives of UNICEF and other entities in the field of children and adolescents, also attended this act of constitution, which took place at the Palma Aquarium.
The event also saw the presentation of ‘Derecho a participar’ (Right to participate), a work carried out by the children’s councillors, which they themselves presented at the Children’s Parliament last Wednesday, 20th November, coinciding with International Children’s Day.