This Tuesday 19, within the framework of the activities for the Month of Afro-descendants, the Minister of Social Development (Mides), Martín Lema, participated in a conference that brought together more than 50 young people, between 18 and 29 years old, who participate of Mides programs or are part of Afro-descendant civil society groups throughout the country. “Generating actions to offer them more opportunities is our challenge”, assured Lema.
The activity, carried out at the headquarters of the National Youth Institute (INJU), with the participation of the president of the National Administration of Public Education (ANEP), Robert Silva; the pro-rector of the University of the Republic (Udelar), Juan Cristina, and UTU authorities, is part of the slogan “Youth, education and Afro-descendants: New horizons.”
Lema highlighted the importance of knowing the interests, difficulties and proposals of young people, both at an educational and work level. “We need to generate these instances of exchange to know first-hand what they think and feel,” she stressed.
He particularly valued the agreements made with the private sector, through the Mides quotas, which allow participants in the portfolio programs to be included in the company selection process.
In relation to other issues, he highlighted the actions with private educational institutions that allow young people to complete middle and high school cycles. In addition, he highlighted the increase in bottle refills for the socially vulnerable population from June 1 to date, thanks to the 50% discount on the announced cost, and announced that this measure will be evaluated in September, together with others, to planning for the next year. “It was an initiative that had a very positive impact on families,” he stressed.
Regarding Family Allowances of the Equity Plan, he recalled that in January 2021 the income limit was eliminated, which allows them to be maintained when accessing the labor market. According to the chief, 12,300 households made up of 45,500 people exceeded that amount. “Formal work is encouraged to improve the quality of life for families,” he said.
Regarding the Winter Plan, Lema recalled that since it began, on May 15, there are places available every night in the shelter centers enabled throughout the country. He added that measures will be defined in the medium and long term, to incorporate people who suffer from addictions or mental health problems.
For his part, Silva highlighted the actions carried out from the educational system linked to the Afro-descendant population, especially with the generation of opportunities. “You have to reach those sectors of the population that are often not covered,” he said.
