The Town Hall of Los Llanos de Aridane hosted on Tuesday around twenty young people from Palestine, Ukraine, Western Sahara, and the Canary Islands as part of an Erasmus+ project on resilience and peace.
A group of around twenty young people from Palestine, Ukraine, Western Sahara, and various Canary Islands gathered on Tuesday in Los Llanos de Aridane to learn firsthand about the consequences of the 2021 volcanic eruption and the reconstruction process taking place in the Aridane Valley.
The meeting, framed within the international Erasmus+ Youth project supported by the Cabildo of La Palma, combined testimonies from affected families, experts in volcanology, and municipal representatives. The aim: to exchange experiences on how to face crises and disasters from the youth perspective.
Affected Families Share Their Testimony
The young people met with families who lost their homes, properties, and livelihoods following the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano. The locals recounted the difficulties they faced during the emergency and the challenges that still persist in the reconstruction.
“It was very shocking to hear how they lost everything overnight,” noted one of the Canary participants. Stories of resilience and solidarity marked the day, according to municipal sources.
The councillor for Urban Planning, Tamara Acosta, participated in a discussion where she explained the urban and social challenges posed by the reconstruction of the municipality. “Managing an emergency of this magnitude requires coordination, empathy, and resources,” Acosta highlighted.
Exchange of Experiences Between Conflict-Affected Territories
The participants come from regions that have experienced complex situations: Palestine, Ukraine, and Western Sahara. The project aims to promote intercultural dialogue, the defence of human rights, and the building of a culture of peace through youth exchange.
During their stay in La Palma, the young people are also working on the creation of the Youth Manifesto for Resilience and Peace, a joint document with proposals on democracy, human rights, and access to educational, health, employment, and housing opportunities.
For the residents of Los Llanos de Aridane, this initiative represents an opportunity to show the world how a territory struck by nature rises with the help of international solidarity. “It is a source of pride that young people from such distant places come to learn from us,” commented a resident of the municipality.
Next Steps for the Erasmus+ Project
This Tuesday's activity is part of a broader programme that includes workshops, visits, and discussions over several days on the island. The young people will continue their work on the manifesto and will visit other areas affected by the volcano.
The Town Hall of Los Llanos de Aridane plans to repeat similar experiences in the future, consolidating the municipality as a reference point in resilience tourism and education for peace. The event left a bittersweet taste: the excitement of sharing experiences and the certainty that, despite differences, united communities can overcome any adversity.
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