Sónia Brazão, the councillor responsible for social intervention in the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Chamber, called for a paradigm shift in social work at the opening of the 5th Mais Social Congress. She emphasized that merely responding to vulnerability is no longer enough, stressing the need to "prevent, empower, and create opportunities."
Brazão argued that the success of social initiatives should be measured by lives transformed, autonomy regained, and problems averted, rather than solely by the number of individuals assisted. She also highlighted the importance of greater collaboration between municipalities, social institutions, schools, healthcare, businesses, families, and the community to tackle complex social issues.
The councillor pointed to innovation, empowerment, prevention, and autonomy as key pathways towards a more transformative social intervention, capable of generating positive impacts within the social economy.
