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THE UNITED NATIONALITIES MARBELLA SUMMIT ADDRESSING THE ISSUES FACED BY OUR YOUTH
The Harbour Marbella was the perfect backdrop for the United Nationalities of Marbella Summit. Led by Nicole King and Georgina Shaw, the event brought together influential members of the community to tackle the issues faced by young people in our area, including a lack of career opportunities and work experience, the alarming increase of suicide attempts by people aged 10-to-24, and a lack of leisure activities specifically aimed at this age group. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NICOLE KING/ THE UNITED NATIONS MARBELLA SUMMIT AND SHUTTERSTOCK Nicole King and Georgina Shaw
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he event saw entrepreneurs, members of the media, and other leaders join forces with representatives of the Marbella Town Hall and suicide 140 / JANUARY 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
prevention charities. The aim was to discuss problems and brainstorm solutions to help our youth. Participants included Remedios Bocanegra (Foreign Residents Councillor from the Marbella Town Hall), Mirijana Stefanovic (the President of the Marbella International University Centre/ MIUC), and Ana Lancho and José Manuel Dolader (from the suicide prevention charity, La Barandilla). Brenda Cuby of GIBSAMS (a confidential and anonymous free call/live chat service that is open daily from 6pm to midnight) provided key information on youth suicide. Sr. Dolader, meanwhile, shared
worrisome statistics, including the fact that the number of youths who die via suicide doubles that of people who lose their lives in road accidents.
THREEFOLD CHANGE IS NEEDED Nicole King urged attendees to take action so as to make Marbella a better place for younger generations. She asked for businesses and individuals to take all the steps needed to make Marbella more appealing to younger people in three main ways: Z By creating safe, fun hangout spots for youths Z By offering them internships
