Funchal promotes child participation at EECERA conference

At the opening of the 34th EECERA International Conference in Funchal, Helena Leal, the municipal councillor for Education, reaffirmed the city's commitment to involving children in the creation of local policies. Representing the President of the Funchal City Council, Leal emphasized that children should be viewed as citizens of the present rather than just the future.

The conference, held at Madeira Tecnopolo, focuses on “The development of agency, participation and democracy in the digital age.” Leal highlighted municipal initiatives such as the Local Strategy for the Rights of the Child, which incorporated input from over 600 local youths, and the “Children in Participation” project, which allows young people to propose and implement community improvements.

Leal also addressed the necessity of digital literacy, arguing that children must be equipped to engage with technology in a critical, responsible, and safe manner. She reinforced Funchal's vision as an “Educator City” and a “Child-Friendly City,” where youth participation is treated as a fundamental dimension of active citizenship.