The Regional Director for Communities, Maria da Graça Castanho, is making a business trip to the United States, Brazil and Uruguay in order to closely contact with the emigrant institutions and communities rooted in these countries.

During her trip to North America, the Regional Director for Communities met with the Research Centre for Human Rights of Boston College, MAPS - Massachusetts Alliance for Portuguese Speakers, UMass Boston and with the Portuguese World Language Institute, the partner entities in the organisation of the International Symposium on Human Rights and Quality of Life of the Portuguese Speaking Communities in the United States and Canada.

This event, which will be attended by the Nobel laureate in Medicine, Craig Mello, is scheduled for November 9-10 and it is intended to promote the debate on issues related to deportation, health and education.

On the occasion, Maria da Graça Castanho reiterated the importance of Azorean communities in the United States of America and Canada to join the remaining Portuguese-speaking ethnic groups in common issues and problems in order to increase their strength and visibility.

According to the Regional Director, the Azorean communities will only be able to raise their problems to a level never before experienced through a concerted strategy, putting on the front page their concerns and demanding from politicians the fulfilment of the promises made.

For Maria da Graça Castanho, the issues regarding of deportation, the teaching of Portuguese Language to younger generations, the education of communities, health and the access of tools and mechanisms to improve the integration in the host countries are the some major concerns in the present moment.

During this visit, the Regional Director for Communities met with the Board of the House of the Azores of New England, the Bristol County Sheriff as well as with various organisations and parishes of Fall River, New Bedford and Providence.

These entities, in partnership with this governmental department, are preparing the organisation of social and cultural events, including the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Dighton Rock and the celebration of Thanksgiving in the Azores.

On the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, the Regional Director for Communities met with the Ambassador of Portugal in Washington and presented him the LEGAL project (Legalisation Effort of the Government of the Azores and Logistics).

This programme, developed by the Azorean Government in partnership with the International Network of Social Work Organisations, is intended to promote the naturalisation of the largest number of Azoreans residing in the United States and Canada, thus avoiding their deportation to the Azores, stressed Maria da Graça Castanho.
 
For the Regional Director, this trip is an opportunity to strengthen ties with the Diaspora by emphasising the role of younger and elder generations as these are the most vulnerable groups that need special care and attention.