A new participation and advisory body
The Ministry of Social Inclusion of Cantabria has made public the content of the draft decree for the creation of the Council of Seniors in the region. This measure seeks to establish a collegiate body of consultative nature that allows the social participation of older people and defends their specific interests.
The main objective of this Council is to coordinate and advise the Government of Cantabria in making decisions and implementing policies that affect older people. To achieve this, it will have representatives from different areas of the Administration, the social field and related entities.
A social demand and a common practice in other autonomous communities
The creation of this body responds to a social demand expressed in various meetings between the Government and senior citizens’ associations. Furthermore, most of the autonomous communities in Spain already have a similar participation mechanism for older people.
The draft decree will be available for public consultation for a period of ten days, during which suggestions and contributions may be submitted. Interested persons may contact the General Directorate of Dependency, Social Health Care and Unwanted Loneliness to send their proposals.
Ways to submit suggestions
Suggestions to the decree may be submitted through the Cantabria Transparency Portal, the electronic headquarters of the regional Government or at the Registration Assistance Office of the General Secretariat of Social Inclusion. They may also be presented in the places established in Law 5/2018, of November 22, on the Legal Regime of the Government, the Administration and the Institutional Public Sector of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria
A step towards greater participation and representation
The creation of the Council of Seniors of Cantabria is an important step to guarantee the active participation and representation of this sector of the population in decision-making that affects them. This advisory body will allow the Government’s policies and actions to more accurately reflect the real needs of older people and will promote a multidisciplinary approach in addressing them.