United Nationalities of Marbella Summit puts youth issues in the spotlight ± “Youth Matters Take Center Stage at United Nationalities of Marbella Summit”

The United Nationalities of Marbella Summit (UNMS) will be held on Thursday, 7 December, to address significant issues impacting Marbella’s large youth expat community. The summit, presided over by Nicole King, the President of United Nationalities of Marbella, will take place at The Harbour restaurant in the town centre port.

King, who works in television, said the summit aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by many young foreigners living in Marbella, which are not necessarily the responsibility of the local council. She mentioned that the lack of social spaces for international children in the municipality is a recurring concern among expat families in Marbella.

King also highlighted the difficulties faced by children who grow up in Marbella but are unable to return ‘home’ after studying abroad due to a lack of job opportunities. This often results in family separations, which is why they need a space in Marbella, their true home.

The summit will also provide updates on the Zero Hero project, a road safety initiative that encourages restaurants and hotels in Marbella to offer free soft drinks to designated drivers. Additionally, a suicide prevention initiative called Happy Helpline will be launched, providing English-language support for young people struggling with mental health issues.

The summit will also introduce NeduAI, a gamified platform designed to assist young people in choosing a higher education course and planning a career. Parents will also have the opportunity to learn about the new artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT from tech experts.

The event will be attended by representatives from the British Chamber of Commerce, local schools and colleges, associations, the Rotary Club, and business owners.

This summit comes as Marbella’s population has grown by 6.7% over the past five years, making it the seventh most populated municipality in Andalucía with 150,725 residents, of which 51,024 are foreign residents. Despite having good schools and homes, King believes Marbella lacks a strong, tight-knit community.