The island of La Gomera has a population of 21,678 inhabitants, which represents 1% of the total of the Canary Islands. Its remoteness from the national territory and its insularity have marked and continue to mark the lives of its citizens, who have historically fought against isolation and difficult terrain.
To analyze their situation and, above all, the future opportunities offered by the island of La Gomera, the SER holds a discussion forum on September 17.
The meeting is part of the initiative ‘La España Vaciada ‘carried out at the national level by Cadena SER, with the impulse of Fenie Energy, to give voice and visibility to the stories of those who struggle to keep the population centers alive in peripheral areas.
In this case, the forum presents the singularity of adding to the population issue the weight of an insularity that conditions even more if possible the challenges of connectivity, the development of economic activities and the provision of public services, among other issues.
The assembly hall of the Cabildo de La Gomera, the institution that governs the island, will host these sessions, which can be followed on the Radio Club Tenerife antenna, on the website of ‘La España Vaciada’ and also in person, always complying with the COVID-19 prevention protocols.
The program of these days focuses on alternatives to help develop the island of La Gomera, addressing demographic, economic, ecological and sociological aspects.
The La Gomera Forum is sponsored by the Revitalization Plan for the North of La Gomera.
Program of ‘La España Vaciada’ in La Gomera, the chosen island
September 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the San Sebastián Auditorium
* The indicated time is Peninsular, one hour less in the Canary Islands
9:45 a.m. Door opening
10:00 h. Welcome and introduction
– Macarena Berlin, Cadena SER journalist, who moderates the round tables.
– Lourdes Santana, Regional Director SER Canarias
10:10 a.m. Opening
– Casimiro Curbelo, President of the Cabildo of La Gomera
10:30 a.m. More or less people, more or less community
– Conversation with Vicente Zapata, director of the Tenerife Immigration Observatory and professor at the University of La Laguna, who will speak on the demographic singularities of the Canary Islands.
11:00 h. Public instruments for economic and social revitalization.
– Yaiza Castilla, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands and member of the Gomera Socialist Group (ASG)
11:20 h. Round table: the revitalization plan for the north of La Gomera.
They intervene:
– Rosa María Chinea, Mayor of Agulo.
– Yordán Piñero, mayor of Hermigua.
– Emiliano Coello, Mayor Vallehermoso.
– Adasat Reyes, mayor of San Sebastián.
11:45 h. Round table: a commitment to the unsustainability of the island
They intervene:
Juan Alberto Gutiérrez, Fenie Energy
Immaculate Hernandez, Manager of the Insular Association of Rural Development of La Gomera
Briggite Dedies, President of the Sustainable Tourism Association (ATUSOS)
12:45 h. ‘Coffe break’
13:00 h. Experiences to stop depopulation.
Conversation with Ekaterina Kulikova, manager MayBeez He tells us about everything related to his agro-cosmetic company, created in his laboratory in La Gomera and which produces organic cosmetic and personal care products with ingredients from its own certified organic production. They use the Canarian black bee for their productions in this natural environment.
13:10 h. Round table: the role of entrepreneurs in the island’s revitalization strategy
They intervene:
– Nancy Melo, president of the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin La Gomera
– Rayco Herrera, producer of Gofio and Gold Medal of the Canary Islands
– José Andrés Medina, owner of the Vacation Home ”Jonay House‘and director of gomeraactualidad.com
13:50 h. Conclusions
– Marta Cantero, Content Director of SER Canarias with Macarena Berlin
2:00 p.m. Farewell: sample of silbo gomero’s workshop
– Estefanía Mendoza, President of the Silbo Gomero Association, will show us with a student how the whistled language is taught and learned.
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