Lawyer Antonio Tejeda Encinas, President of the Euro-American Digital Law Committee, CEO META Channel Corp
The current panorama of Spain invites us to reflect on the divisions that have marked our country:
For a long time, we have talked about the famous (by Machado) ‘two Spains’, an ideological fracture that separated the country into two opposing visions. Today, however, that division has evolved, giving way to a third Spain: one that fights daily against poverty and social exclusion, especially in regions like the Canary Islands.”
In the State of Poverty Report 2024, presented by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), an alarming fact stands out: not only is there a difference between the north and the south of Spain, but a large part of the population lives on the margins of well-being. Regions like the Canary Islands are especially vulnerable, presenting one of the highest poverty rates in the country (second, behind Murcia). This reality cannot be ignored.
Both the public and private sectors (other essential actors should join the effort) have an important role to play in creating opportunities for everyone, especially in Regions like the Canary Islands, where the fight for dignity is a daily reality.
From my perspective, as an international lawyer, CEO of META Channel Corporation and President of Comité Euro Americano de Derecho Digital — CEA Digital Law, a company dedicated to digital transformation and global innovative strategies, one and an academic and researcher on these topics, the other; I firmly believe that technology and digitalization are powerful tools to reduce these social gaps. However, true innovation must not only be technological, but also social: inclusion must be the engine that drives any sustainable advance that we want to implement.
Creation of a ‘Canary Business Innovation and Sustainability Forum’, where the Ceoe-Tenerife, (I throw the gauntlet), or APD (which focuses on the improvement of business management and the development of senior managers could contribute to the debate or be guarantors of the idea)…, together with leading companies, discuss how technological innovation can be aligned with sustainability objectives. This forum would address topics, such as artificial intelligence applied to sustainable development, energy renewable in industries, circular economy, sustainable tourism, blue economy… shall I continue?
What other initiatives could we develop together to reduce poverty and promote social innovation in the Canary Islands? I am open to debate and generate ideas, create a Canarian think tank with those who share this vision of the future.
