The City Council of La Laguna collaborates in the event 'From Shore to Shore. Canary Islands and Africa, a Single Sentiment', taking place this Thursday at the San Jerónimo Citizen Centre in Taco, with the participation of the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo.
The event 'From Shore to Shore. Canary Islands and Africa, a Single Sentiment' is being held this Thursday at the San Jerónimo Citizen Centre in Taco, aiming to reflect on the relations between the archipelago and the African continent. The meeting, organised by the Africa in Common Association and the Union of Neighbourhood Associations of the Canary Islands (UAVC), is supported by the City Council of La Laguna and features the participation of the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo.
An Intercultural Dialogue Space
The Councillor for Citizen Participation, Fran Hernández, explained that the La Laguna Council joined the initiative because "it represents the way we understand our city: open, diverse and committed to dialogue between cultures." Hernández encouraged citizens to participate in a day that "invites us to look at Africa from mutual knowledge, respect and cooperation."
The programme includes five debate tables on the reality of both shores, the economy and its impact, citizen participation, business cooperation, and intercultural coexistence. The documentary 'Back to the Roots' will also be screened, and the day will conclude with the reading of a manifesto in favour of a closer relationship between the Canary Islands and Africa.
Common Good Economy as a Foundation
The President of Africa in Common, Sergio Pérez de la Cruz, pointed out that the meeting aims to "rethink the relations between the Canary Islands archipelago and the African continent" based on the principles of the Common Good Economy, which place human dignity, solidarity, social justice, and environmental sustainability at the centre. "Canary Islands and Africa share an interconnected future that must be addressed from social justice and horizontal cooperation," he stated.
For his part, the President-Director of ICAS, Miguel Díaz, emphasised that "the future of the Canary Islands depends on understanding that Africa is not a threat to be protected against, but an opportunity for shared growth and a strategic partner for the 21st century." Díaz insisted that both regions share "much more than geographical coordinates."
The Neighbourhood Movement as a Driving Force
The President of the UAVC, Francisco Barreto, defended the role of the neighbourhood movement as an agent of social transformation and called for "putting aside prejudices and advancing from respect, dialogue, and cooperation to build a better future for both shores." Barreto stated that "Canarians and Africans must look at each other face to face, get to know each other better, and build collaborative strategies together that benefit us all."
The event takes place on Thursday afternoon at the San Jerónimo Citizen Centre in Taco. Those interested in attending can still register by sending an email to info@africaencomun.com. An opportunity for the residents of La Laguna and all of the Canary Islands to participate in a debate that, who knows, may help to build real bridges between two shores that, despite their proximity, often seem further apart than they really are.
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