An Open Door to Inclusion: AVAPACE and the Conference Centre Build the Future Through Social Sustainability
The presentation of the award to AVAPACE as the winner of the Espacios Solidarios competition highlights a meaningful partnership that places people and the social fabric of Valencia at its core.
“Today we open a door that is both symbolic and very real.” With these words, Councillor Paula Llobet captured the spirit of the event held at the Valencia Conference Centre on 26 May. This was not only an act of recognition but also a commitment to alliance with one of the organisations that best embody the dedication to inclusion: AVAPACE, the Valencian Association for Cerebral Palsy Support.
AVAPACE became the first entity to be honoured within the framework of Espacios Solidarios, a competition initiated by the Palace’s Sustainability Advisory Committee to offer its facilities free of charge to projects with a positive social impact. Far from being merely symbolic, this gesture represents a genuine willingness to open the doors of the Palacio to those who work daily to build a fairer, more inclusive city.
Sustainability is Also Social
Sylvia Andrés, Managing Director of the Valencia Conference Centre, emphasised this holistic view: “We understand that sustainability is not only measured by energy efficiency or emissions reduction, but also by the impact we have on people – how we include, listen, and share.” This comprehensive perspective is reflected in initiatives like this one, which connect the city’s emblematic spaces with its people, its social pulse, and the community builders.
For over 50 years, AVAPACE has supported people with cerebral palsy and their families. It does so not only through commitment but also through visibility, highlighting the creativity, capacity, and value inherent in every life story. Its Encuentro Asociativo project, soon to take place at the Conference Centre, will gather more than 200 participants for cultural, artistic and community activities. A space designed to foster connection, mutual recognition, and the celebration of diversity as a fundamental part of our urban identity.
Where València Connects… With Its People
“We have enormous technological capacity, but that’s only the how. People are the why,” said Paula Llobet. This statement perfectly encapsulates the Conference Centre’s mission as an active agent of change: a venue where ideas meet, but above all, where people connect.
This inaugural edition of the competition has charted a clear course. Eight proposals, an open call, and a strong commitment to making the Conference Centre a place where new voices are heard. Espacios Solidarios is more than a programme, it is an expression of institutional responsibility grounded in equity.
Because discussing sustainability means also embracing inclusion, accessibility, and visibility. In this regard, partnerships like the one with AVAPACE exemplify how a public facility can actively and concretely commit to improving its social environment.
Beyond the Event
Our collaboration with organisations such as AVAPACE extends well beyond this recognition. It forms part of a sustained, ongoing effort that includes initiatives such as the agreement with Asindown, which designates us as a training centre, as well as cooperation with partner companies to promote the integration of people with disabilities within the Conference Centre’s catering and hospitality teams.
Sustainability is not built in abstraction. It is created every time a door is opened. Every time a need is heard. Every time a hand is extended. This is the path the Valencia Conference Centre will continue to follow.
