Cabo Verde is hosting the first Macaronesia Vulnerable Childhood Forum, which brings together representatives from Cabo Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira, and Azores. The event aims to strengthen cooperation in protecting children and adolescents. It started on November 9 and will run until November 13 in Cidade Velha and Praia. The initiative is led by Maena Esencia, under the direction of its founder, Paola Andrea Lozano Modesto.
The forum's first day, on November 9, began with the reception of delegations at the Cultural Center in Cidade Velha, attended by Nelson Vaz Moreira, president of the Ribeira Grande de Santiago Municipal Chamber. The main events will take place at the University of Cabo Verde in Praia on November 10 and 11. The opening session on November 10 will feature Adélsia Almeida, Minister of Family, Inclusion, and Social and Labor Development.
Several international representatives are confirmed to attend, including Amado Carballo Quintero, second vice-president of El Hierro's Insular Cabildo and social rights counselor; María Eugenia Angulo Moreno, from the Canary Islands Government's Health department; and Pedro Amaral Frazão, advisor to the Presidency of Grupo Sousa from Madeira. The forum aims to create permanent collaboration mechanisms through sharing experiences and identifying common problems.
One of the main goals is to advance the construction of the Macaronesia Vulnerable Childhood White Book 2030, which will gather information and contributions from the four archipelagos. The document will identify priorities and serve as a reference for future policies and cooperation lines in child protection. This initiative follows up on work started in November 2025 in Cidade Velha.
The forum features participation from various Cabo Verdean organizations focused on child protection and rights promotion, such as Aldeias Infantis SOS Cabo Verde, Instituto Cabo-verdiano da Criança e do Adolescente (ICCA), and Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde (OMCV). The Spanish Refugee Aid Commission (CEAR) and professionals from social, educational, health, and community areas are also involved.
Discussions during the forum will address issues like violence prevention, child protection, health, education, emotional well-being, and family support. Participants will also discuss challenges faced by protection systems, barriers to resource access, and the importance of early intervention and inter-institutional coordination. The organization aims to ensure that children, adolescents, and families have a voice in the process.
According to Paola Andrea Lozano Modesto, the forum represents more than an institutional meeting. "It does not end with an event; it begins a shared responsibility," she states. After the University of Cabo Verde sessions, November 12 will be dedicated to exploring local experiences and realities. The closing and farewell of delegations are scheduled for November 13.
Key points
- The Macaronesia Vulnerable Childhood Forum aims to strengthen cooperation among Cabo Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira, and Azores in protecting children and adolescents.
