In Valongo we believe that human rights are essential values of universal relevance and must guide local action. Local governments play a central role in promoting, fulfilling and respecting human rights, as they are closest to citizens and are responsible for providing a wide range of essential services, such as education, health, housing and public safety, therefore having a fundamental role in ensuring that these services are provided in a fair and equitable manner, respecting the principles of human rights.
Local governments should promote non-discrimination and implement inclusion policies that guarantee equal access to education and public services for all members of the community and take responsibility for caring for people in vulnerable situations, such as children and the elderly. Human rights principles provide clear guidelines on how these groups should be treated and protected and local governments should orient their social policies to implement programs that meet the specific needs of vulnerable groups, ensuring that they have equal access to services and opportunities.
At the same time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly recognizes the right of citizens to participate in political decision-making and the governance of countries as a fundamental principle of human rights. This right is essential for the functioning of democratic societies and for the protection of the rights and freedoms of all citizens. It is up to local governments, as they are closest to citizens, to offer opportunities to involve people in governance and decision-making, strengthening democracy but also promoting citizen empowerment. Through citizen participation mechanisms, local governments can ensure that policies and practices are adjusted based on citizens' real needs and concerns.
Local governments are directly involved in providing essential services, protecting citizens from discrimination and promoting citizen participation, therefore having an essential role in promoting, fulfilling and respecting human rights. Fighting inequalities, providing equal opportunities and helping to create a more inclusive, equitable and participatory society is therefore the responsibility of local political decision-makers, who have a decisive role in shaping the future of cities, implementing and developing projects and initiatives to build a more prosperous, inclusive and just society.
We believe that promoting specific human rights issues at a local level is fundamental to creating fairer, more inclusive communities that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens. By acting locally, we are not only benefiting the local community, but also contributing to the fulfillment of international human rights commitments. Joining the "10, 100, 1000 Human Rights Cities and Territories by 2030" campaign will allow us to be part of an active community of local governments that, like Valongo, are committed to promoting and implementing human rights. At the same time, it will be an opportunity to implement local activities related to human rights, and thus, promote education and awareness of human rights, raising awareness of specific issues such as gender equality, children's rights, among others, which we consider important for creating fairer, more inclusive communities that respect the rights and freedoms of all human beings.
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Children's Council
The Municipality of Valongo created the Children's Council project as part of its commitment to stimulating civic participation, recognizing the importance of children's voices in building a more enlightened and participatory community. Valongo has implemented several participatory processes in recent years, with a firm commitment to listening to the community and the awareness that children's participation is fundamental as part of the realization of this commitment. It was recognized that children are not only the future adults, but also have immediate rights to participation, especially in decisions that affect them directly, at home, at school, in the community. This prompted the creation of the Children's Council, aligned with Francesco Tonucci's vision, and membership of the La Città dei Bambini network, with the aim of promoting governance centered on the children's perspective and thus continuing to build a more inclusive and participatory community. Read more here and here.
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Municipal Plan for Equality and Non-Discrimination: Non-Discrimination: Valuing Equality (Valorizar@Igualdade)
Gender equality is a fundamental part of the human rights principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments that recognize the importance of ensuring that men and women have equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of life. This principle is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, namely in Article 9(h), which unequivocally enshrines equality between men and women.
Aware of the importance that the municipality assumes in promoting Gender Equality, Valongo Municipality has developed important actions in this area and is implementing its second Municipal Plan for Equality and Non-Discrimination, called Valorizar@lgualdade, for the four- year period 2022 to 2025.
This document demonstrates the municipality's commitment to gender issues, insofar as it defends effective equality between men and women as a factor in competitiveness, motivation and making the most of the human resources available and indispensable to the development of territories.
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"Walls that unite us" (Paredes que nos Unem)
The "Paredes que nos Unem" (Walls that Unite Us) project is aimed at residents of the 14 social housing developments in the Valongo municipality. It aims to promote the establishment of emotional connections and the projection of positive feelings towards the neighborhood, through art, sports and social and professional training, promoting inclusion and a sense of belonging and ownership of the "neighborhood", the deconstruction of stereotypes and the reduction of social inequalities.
As well as increasing a positive sense of belonging in relation to the space inhabited, the project also aims to enhance cultural and civic participation, develop personal, social and professional skills and minimize stigmatizing and disintegrating logics and discourses. Read more.