"Azoreans in the World" platform strengthens ties between the Diaspora and the Azores, says Regional Director for the Communities
The Regional Director for the Communities stressed in Brazil that the "Azoreans in the World" platform is an "opportunity" to "strengthen the ties between the diaspora and the Azores."
“This new tool will contribute to an in-depth knowledge of the Azorean presence in the world," Paulo Teves said, adding that, "through its registration and mapping, it will bring together the large Azorean family, regardless of being born or living in the Azores or being of Azorean ancestry.
Paulo Teves spoke at the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro, where he stressed the importance of this platform for the selection of the 19 members representing the Azorean communities in the Azorean Diaspora Council (CDA). On the occasion, he called for its dissemination so that " we can have a contribution from the Azorean People around the world in the Region's development process."
The platform, available at acorianosnomundo.azores.gov.pt, also provides a wide range of information regarding this project and the Azorean Diaspora Council, as well as its registration.
The Regional Director also mentioned that this site will allow the registration of all Azoreans by birth, ancestry or affinity (marriage/domestic partnership), who have resided in the Azores for a minimum period of five years and currently reside outside the Region.
Paulo Teves stated that, upon registration, they will have the possibility of submitting their candidacy for Representative of the Azorean Diaspora Council, learn about potential candidates from various geographical areas of residence and their goals, choose and vote online for the representative of their geographical area of residence at the council. In this regard, the government official stressed that the Azoreans registered on this website will be notified of the list of candidates from their area of residence and of the election date.
During this visit to Brazil, in addition to Rio de Janeiro, the Regional Director also presented the "Azoreans in the World" website at information sessions held with the Azorean communities of São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
The Azorean Diaspora Council, proposed by the Regional Government and unanimously approved by the Legislative Assembly, aims to ensure the participation, collaboration and consultation of Azoreans around the world for the definition of common goals in the Azores' development project. This will be achieved through the debate and issuance of opinions, suggestions and proposals concerning emigration and the Azorean diaspora.
Chaired by the President of the Regional Government, it is composed of 36 members. Among them, 19 are Azorean Diaspora-elected members from the geographical areas where the Azorean presence is most significant: one from Bermuda; five from Brazil (one from Rio Grande do Sul, one from Rio de Janeiro, one from Santa Catarina, one from São Paulo and one representing the remaining Brazilian states); five from Canada (one from British Columbia, one from Manitoba, one from Ontario, one from Quebec and one representing the remaining Canadian provinces and territories); five from the USA (one from California, one from Massachusetts, one from Rhode Island and another two representing the remaining US states); one from Uruguay; one from Mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and a representative of the rest of the world. These members will represent and defend the interests of their communities with the Azorean Government.