From July 14, Orihuela-Miguel Hernández station is hosting the Adif Open Station Program exhibition in conjunction with the Department of Family Affairs. The exhibition “European Network of Family-Friendly Cities” was presented on 14 July at the station by Juan Andrés Sánchez Jordán, station manager for Alicante, and Mª Carmen Portugal Bueno, Orihuela’s Department of Family Affairs of the municipality.
Mª Carmen Portugal emphasized that “with the aim of raising awareness and providing information about this certificate, these information panels have been created where we can read why Orihuela is a Family Friendly municipality.”
Open Station: a platform of social value
Juan Andrés Sánchez Jordán, station manager for the Alicante area, stated that “this exhibition is part of Adif’s Open Station Program under social responsibility criteria .” This initiative, launched in 2008, allows public and third-sector entities to use spaces in railway stations for cultural, social, and environmental activities.
“The Open Station Program is an Adif Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability tool that seeks to socially connect stations with their surroundings, providing added value to cities ,” said Sánchez Jordán.
Currently, the Orihuela-Miguel Hernández station is one of the busiest infrastructures in the Valencian Community, and according to the Councilor for Family Affairs, “this year we expect to exceed one and a half million passengers.” The exhibition consists of several information panels that explain why Orihuela is part of the European Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities. This exhibition, offered by Adif, was chosen by the Department of Family Affairs to showcase and inform the public that Orihuela belongs to this European network that promotes public policies focused on family well-being.
Orihuela, a Family Friendly City
On November 7, Orihuela was officially recognized as a Family Friendly City after joining this European network, a milestone that reinforces the municipality’s commitment to developing public policies that promote work-life balance, support for children, family diversity, and inclusion.
Advantages of being part of this European network
The European Network of Family-Friendly Cities allows municipalities in different countries to share best practices, offer training, create synergies, and improve local family policies. As a member of this network, Orihuela has access to a database of best practices, the opportunity to participate in study visits, and the opportunity to disseminate its initiatives at the European level.
Furthermore, the Family Councilor noted that one of the local projects, ” Paper Elephants,” has been recognized by the Network as a good practice, allowing other European municipalities to replicate it. The councilor noted that being part of this European network allows us to connect with other municipalities in Spain and Europe that develop programs focused on families.
Currently, the network includes municipalities such as Pozo Blanco, Vinaròs , Castellón de la Plana, Torrevieja, Castelldefels, Badajoz, Valencia, Tarragona and Vera, as well as cities in other countries such as Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Croatia, Greece and Poland.