United Nationalities of Marbella: A community that cares

THE main hall at Laude International College welcomed a good number of people to the second United Nationalities of Marbella Conference.

Organised by well-known local broadcaster Nicole King and chaired by Georgina Shaw the conference on April 25 was intended to bring together a number of the many different and diverse members of the Marbella community to discuss matters of interest.

Rather than have a number of different speakers, the conference was very much opened to the floor for comments and suggestions on the matters of education, teenage behaviour and the elderly.

Natalia from the Arboretum Marbella explained the work that was being done to encourage youngsters to understand and appreciate environmental matters, especially sustainability whilst Valentina Radu explained that following last year’s conference she had arranged with the police authorities to visit schools to discuss matters of importance such as drugs.

Nicole King emphasised the need to help young teens to direct their energies into channels which would assist them to become complete and happy adults rather than simply follow the role of being ‘home grown tourists’ becoming involved in questionable practise.

Princess Marie Louise of Prussia attended in her role as president of local HIV/AIDS charity Concordia which takes a particular interest in educating local teenagers about the dangers of the disease and ways in which to prevent it.

There were a number of ideas including one for a teen app which could give details of healthy activities in the Marbella area and there was also mention of a possible teen discount or debit card.

The elderly were not ignored and representatives of Age Concern Estepona and Manilva confirmed that they were in the process of expanding to be represented in Marbella and San Pedro.

Following the general talks and a presentation of the special song for the conference composed and sung by Laude teacher Surianne Delgado, delegates left for an afternoon of lunch and networking.