Next week, the newly constituted Third Sector Board will organize a full program of social and charitable activities in Sitges, celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the Antidiscrimination Day of Catalonia. Sitges will join these two commemorative dates in order to contribute to the general awareness of problems that must be eradicated completely from our society.
The City Hall will provide full support to the organizations promoting such actions. The Third Sector Board of Sitges - Garraf is a home-grown organization with the firm determination of becoming a useful, effective and active tool in favour of disadvantaged groups. The municipal government is fully aware that our town needs such civil organizations, which is why we have given them a strong support from day one. It is a support to facilitate their work and access to resources, but at the same time it must be absolutely respectful with their policies and line of action.
The activities held by the Board pursue to increase the general awareness that the violation of human rights deserves zero tolerance. For this reason, Saturday 23rd will feature various open house presentations and panel discussions, with the participation of legislative and judiciary representatives and experts.
The program is also present at schools, a fact that we consider essential. For this reason, the two schools in town will be involved in abuse prevention workshops. Because violation of human rights and violence against women is primarily a problem of education and culture.
Just from the very beginning of our current municipal government, just over two years, we made a statement and we traced a clear line when we implemented a policy of support to people, and especially, to disadvantaged groups. Initiatives such as the Blue Card, which allows for reductions in rates and access to certain products, or the takeover of the Senior Centre located in Joan Maragall St., provoked by the neglect of the financial institution in charge, are, among many others, some of the main actions targeted at needy people in our community.
A few weeks ago, signed an agreement with the Red Cross to support the development of the project Aula Gaia, a program to fight poverty and support families at risk of exclusion due to the crisis. We have also signed an agreement on similar terms with Caritas. Along the lines of this policy, the municipal budget for 2014 that we will approve during the coming weeks, will increase our contribution to social policies by 6.8%.
