Thursday, 07 November 2019 11:56
The youth department of the Consell de Formentera unveiled its programming for the yearly Universal Children’s Day celebrations on 20 November. All month long there will be activities specially-tuned for children and teens, commemorating sixty years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of the Child and thirty since the passing of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
The consellera for youth, Vanessa Parellada, pointed out “the convention establishes a series of rights for boys and girls, including inalienable ones concerning life, health, education and protection from violence and discrimination”. “But there are more, and they’re often overlooked: the right to play, to a family, to have one’s opinions heard”, said Parellada. “Each one of us—parents, educational and health professionals, political leaders, businesses, civil society and media—has a key part to play promoting the welfare of children”, she proclaimed, “and wide-ranging programmes like the one we present today are an example”.
The first activity took place last Tuesday, 5 November, when 219 students from Marc Ferrer high school tuned in for the third “Vívete”, an initiative launched by Proyecto Juntos to foster reflections about attitudes, values and emotions. The event featured Miriam Fernández, Juan Pablo Escobar and Irene Villa—three people who have made it through extremely trying experiences and today share their insight about coming out on the other side. The day-long gathering unfolded on the Eivissa fair grounds. The Baleària company picked up the bill for transport.
Next up, on Saturday 9 November, Formentera Dojo is organising Judo sense barreres ("Judo without borders”) at the Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc. The activity runs from 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Also included in the programme is the dance production, later at 6.00pm in the Sala de Cultura, of Malebable. Geared towards children aged zero to five, Malebable is part of the Department of Culture programme Illa a Escena. To attend, contact cultura@conselldeformentera.cat.
Formentera Marxa
Formentera Marxa is contributing to the activities programme too, first with a workshop for kids aged four to nine at the Sant Ferran Punt de Lectura. On Tuesday 12 November, Cada pollo con su rollo will go from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, using games to teach about the fundamental rights of youth as the world celebrates thirty years since the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
On Thursday 14 November, the Sant Ferran school playground will be the site of a workshop about childhood and functional diversity. From 5.00pm to 7.00pm, children and youth will learn about functional diversity through traditional games and sport.
Wednesday 13 November comes with a 6.00pm screening of Bend It Like Beckham in the Casal de Joves. Couch and popcorn are provided.
Discussion groups
Another part of the programme aims to offer parents and teaching staff tools and a shared and dedicated space devoted to child rearing—whether the goal is an improved relationship with one’s child, or an answer to a particular question. The first gathering—titled Nens bons i dolents: El perill de les etiquetes (“Good and bad kids: The danger of labels”) and moderated by Alberto Soler, is scheduled for 14 November.
Then, on 28 November, Andreu Alba asks the question Is Fortnite recreation... or an addiction? Both events are organised by Formentera’s offices of education and social welfare at 5.00pm in the Centre de Dia conference room (Sala de Plens). Childcare will be provided.
On 19 November it’s fun for the whole family with Dansa en família. From 4.00pm to 5.00pm at Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc.
Participants of a 20 November discussion will join Belén Alvite in trying to answer the question, Is porn the best sexual education? The talk is presented by Formentera’s equality department and Espai Dones, and takes place at 6.00pm in the administration’s Sala d’Actes.
Parlament infantil
Running parallel to World Children’s Day on 20 November, members of the island’s Youth Participatory Council will visit the regional parliament—the Parlament balear—for the eighth Children’s Parliament. Formentera pupils are in charge of this year’s chairpersonship.
A manifesto will be read at the event to encourage administrations to work together to comply with it. The commemoration is even more special this year because it overlaps with the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Children.
Other activities
A calligraphy workshop is scheduled to take place on 20 November as well. The activity will take place in the Sant Ferran Punt de Lectura from 5.00pm, and is included in the activities programme.
On Saturday, the swimming pool of Poliesportiu Antoni Blanc will host an open day. From 10.00am and 1.30pm, there will be water games, aquafitness and diving activities. The day is made possible by Formentera’s sport department and Formentera Divers.
And at 6.00pm that same evening, the Sala de Cultura welcomes Mobil, a children’s circus production that is also part of the culture department’s Illa a Escena programme.
Youth plenary
On 26 November, participants in the Consell’s Youth Participatory Council will hold the group’s full-house assembly. Twice yearly plenaries such as this one are aimed at boosting participation among island children and youth in local policies, taking into full consideration their capacity to form opinions and express themselves.
Fridays for Future
Friday 29 November, youth from the Casal de Joves and Formentera Marxa will head to the beach to learn first-hand about the impacts of climate change.
Poetry contest
Finally, on Saturday 30 November, comes the Art Jove-Salvador Ibarra poetry contest. The event will be held in the Sala de Cultura from 8.30pm. Art Jove is a cultural programme backed by IB-Jove (Balearic Youth Institute) and aimed at promoting free and effective participation among Balearic youth as they develop culture. It aims to boost artistic creativity through different contests, awards and a multiplicity of artistic displays. The poetry finals will be held on Formentera.
7 November 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera
From today to Wednesday 13 November, the office of tourism of the Consell de Formentera will take part in the city of Sevilla’s “Emotions Travel Community” expo. The industry gathering is geared towards tour operators, small-scale travel agencies and other firms whose clientele, as promotions chief Carlos Bernús pointed out from the event, “have substantial purchasing power”.
The interior department of the Consell de Formentera, whose remit includes the island's beach lifeguard and rescue service, reports that the service's annual halt in summer operations took place last week. The team worked from May 1 to October 31. For six months, a team that numbered as many as 23 lifeguards worked to assure the safety of Formentera's beaches and swimming areas. Department head Josep Marí applauded lifeguards’ efforts, underscoring the “dedication and professionalism” of the team.
This weekend, local dance troupe Es Pastorells took part in a music-themed gathering on Gran Canaria. Joined at the encounter by Canary Islands groups Facaracas and Acataifa, the Formentera dancers demonstrated typical ball pagès footwork, marking the repayment of a visit by the Canarian dancers in March, when they came to attend our island’s second Festival Folklòric.