The revision and update of the Immigrant Guide was the main theme under discussion at the meeting of the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs held in Ponta Delgada.

With regard to the ongoing works to upgrade the Immigrant Guide to an online system, the Regional Director for Communities stressed its importance “as a key tool in the construction of a pro-active citizenship and the intercultural dialogue that should be embodied in the Azorean society.”

The meeting of the Advisory Council was attended by a representative of the Ponta Delgada Civil Registry Office, who provided a valuable contribution to the clarification of the new nationality law, which will serve as guidelines for drafting the Immigrant Guide. According to Graça Castanho, “it is very important that other entities integrate, at the invitation of the Council, this advisory body, providing their contribution in their area of competence, thus enhancing the revision work of the guide that must be carried out by all partners.”

The agenda of the Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs, which is chaired by the Regional Director for Communities, also addressed possible amendments to the Labour Law, through the information provided by some partners on the administrative procedures; the monitoring of immigrant population to be carried out by the Economic Activities Services and the SEF (Foreign Nationals and Borders Service), and the activity proposals for 2012.

The issue of immigration was the subject of debate among the advisers representing various governmental entities as well as the Social Solidarity and Cultural Associations and Institutions. The meeting counted on the participation of the High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue, Rosária Farmhouse, who is also participating in the 16th International Metropolis Conference in Ponta Delgada.

The Regional Advisory Council for Immigration Affairs, established by the Presidency of the Government, through the Cabinet of the Regional Secretary of the Presidency and the Regional Directorate for Communities, is currently made up by representatives from 21 organisations and aims to ensure the participation and collaboration of its partners in the definition and coordination of the policies to promote integration and combat exclusion.