Approval of the Declaration of Majorca, a set of actions, recommendations and agreements of the members of the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities to implement in the next ten years.
From November 30 to December 3, 2016, the 5th Institute of the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC) took place in Palma de Mallorca. The Institute was “Essence and Innovation” and brought together more than 130 therapeutic community professionals from 26 countries from all over the world. The event was organized by Projecte Home Balears and Asociación Proyecto Hombre.
The Institute is organized every two years on a different continent and serves as a meeting point between members of regional federations, specialists and researchers, and technicians from Therapeutic Communities to share advances and new solutions to old and emerging problems.
The V Institute focused on analyzing a number of issues including methodology, sustainability and management, work teams, leadership and transition as well as the development of public relations services in Therapeutic Communities. This year’s meeting was structured as a participatory construction of knowledge, which allowed a high degree of participation from the attendees.
The main outcome of the meeting was the approval of the Declaration of Palma de Majorca, which includes a set of actions, recommendations and agreements about substance abusers’ primary care, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration, with a focus on drug prevention. It is intended to implement the provisions of the declaration within the next ten years. The previous WFTC-approved outcome document was the Declaration of Genoa, back in 2010.
Among others, the Declaration of Majorca specifies that:
- It is critical for representatives from international and regional organizations, governments, civil society and private sector to recognize the role of the Therapeutic Community movement in resolving problems associated with drugs and other addictions and the consequent suffering of millions of people. Therapeutic Communities stress the fight against stigmatization of the addicted population.
- Much progress has been made in introducing the gender perspective into the treatment of addictions. Nonetheless, organizations are invited to reinforce these achievements as a priority.
- Therapeutic Communities welcome aftercare services focused on improving the social reintegration of the participants. These follow-up services are critical in reducing relapsing episodes.
- Families and other social networks become key factors during the TC treatment and we should encourage them to get engaged.
- The promotion of vigorous research and evidence based outcomes is crucial for the sustainability of our TCs. Moreover, we invite all organizations to be involved in publishing scientific papers and collaborating with academia and the research community.
- In many countries Therapeutic Communities are insufficiently funded. We encourage the policy makers to support TCs, for they provide an irreplaceable aid for recovering addicted people. It is urgent to diversify resources and to explore alternative funding.
- We recognize that TC staff need continuous training and education, mentoring, caregiving and external supervision. Staff well-being should be promoted in order to minimize the possibility of burn-out.
Ms. Monsterrat Rafel, Director General of Dianova International, Elena Goti, member of the Board of Directors and Lucía Goberna, responsible for institutional relations, were attending the meeting on behalf of the organization.
Lastly, taking advantage of the meeting, WFTC members gathered to plan the work of the federation for the coming years. As a member of the WFTC Board of Directors, Dianova International representatives participated in this meeting.
We would like to thank the members of the WFTC and those of Projecte Home Balears and Association Proyecto Hombre for their excellent organization of the event and for their warm welcome.
