2nd 'Looking with Awareness' Childhood Event Held with Intense Participation in Rio Gallegos

The 2nd Childhood Day event, organized to prevent violence against children and raise social awareness, was held with great participation at the facilities of the National Technological University (UTN) in Rio Gallegos, Argentina. The event, jointly organized by the Secretariat of Municipal Development, the Department of Public Policy Coordination, and the Council for Children and Adolescents (Co.Mu.N.A.), drew attention with broad public participation. Authorities stated that they aim to make such events traditional in order to address the problems children increasingly face in their daily lives. Teachers, health workers, families, and non-governmental organization representatives participated, setting an example of social solidarity. The main purpose of the meeting was emphasized as not only intervening in moments of crisis but also developing proactive measures to prevent problems from occurring.

As part of the event, four different workshops were held, conducted by experts in the field and run simultaneously. In these workshops, participants had the opportunity to discuss current and critical issues in depth, such as digital violence, violence in schools, violence in sports, and the roles of responsible caregivers. In particular, the issue of violence in digital environments was addressed as an indisputable reality in the lives of today's children. It was emphasized that the concept of a responsible caregiver does not only cover parents, but is a broad network that includes teachers, relatives, and all professionals who play a role in a child's development. Through these workshops, participants gained practical knowledge to protect children and take the right steps in times of crisis.

Celeste Argumosa, President of the City Council, who spoke at the event, stated that the COVID-19 pandemic left deep marks on the lives of children and adults. Noting that during the pandemic, children became much more dependent on digital devices and social media than before, and that adults were also affected by a similar process, Argumosa evaluated this situation as a wake-up call. Officials underlined that parents need to review how they monitor their children's device usage and, most importantly, focus on listening to the youth. The intense interest shown by the community in this event was interpreted as a very clear indication that the public wants to protect children in a more conscious way. This social demand will also play a decisive role in shaping future local policies.

Alfredo Jaramillo, a member of the Therapeutic Wool Foundation and coordinator of the Prevention Commission, stated that complex problems such as violence can only be solved through joint and multidisciplinary approaches. Stating that intersectoral cooperation is of critical importance in building social mental health, Jaramillo praised this union of participating universities, state education councils, and civil organizations. At the end of the event, the data and results obtained by all working groups will be compiled into a comprehensive strategic document. This document will form the basis for future preventive public policies and local action plans. Authorities aim for such documents not to remain merely on paper, but to turn into concrete steps that directly improve the quality of life for children in the city.

Gabriel Pérez, Director of the Youth House, announced that the series of events will continue throughout the year and that different themes will be addressed in the coming months. Following this first meeting where the issue of violence was discussed, the second major event of the year will be held in the middle of August, focusing directly on mental health. In the third stage, the special needs and developmental processes of young children in early childhood will be discussed. Pérez added that interventions are usually made after problems occur, but their main goal is to equip families and caregivers with preventive tools. Teaching daily practices, such as the use of parental controls on mobile devices, stands out as one of the most concrete examples of this proactive approach.