In Camargo held the tenth Jornada Solidaria de Mediación took place at the Centro Municipal de Empresas Professionals, local authority representatives and civil society organisations discussed how children can be better protected in highly contentious separation and divorce proceedings. The conference was opened by Cantabria’s social affairs minister, Begoña Gómez del Río. It was organised by the Servicio Municipal de Mediación of the Ayuntamiento de Camargo and the Asociación de Mediación de Cantabria, known as AMECAN.
According to the organisers, the event was entitled “A través de sus ojos: la perspectiva de los niños en los procesos de ruptura de alta conflictividad”. Its aim was to bring together practical experience, present protective measures for minors and strengthen cooperation between mediation and social services. The programme included expert presentations and chaired discussion sessions with mediators, social workers, lawyers and representatives of family associations.
According to the organisers, it was important to distinguish facts, assessments and future plans: while the need for early, child-centred mediation was presented as undisputed, further proposals – such as expanding psychological support services – were identified as professional recommendations. No specific funding commitments, deadlines or legislative initiatives were agreed at the event.
In Cantabria family-focused mediation has been gaining importance for years. Municipal services such as the Servicio Municipal de Mediación complement court proceedings to prevent escalation and limit children’s repeated, stressful contact with public authorities. Experts noted that stable care arrangements, clear communication rules between parents and reliable access to psychosocial support can measurably reduce the strain on minors. They also stressed that high-conflict cases require close cooperation between the justice system, youth services and specialist advice centres.
From the perspective of local government, well-connected mediation services can both improve child protection in the long term and limit costs to the social services and justice systems. Measures suggested by participants include making mediation more accessible, systematically incorporating children’s perspectives into agreements and training professionals to deal with highly dynamic conflicts. Local observers described the conference in Camargo as an annual forum that brings together experience and supports the development of existing support services.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).