The Regional Director for Communities highlighted in San José, California, the Government's commitment to promote initiatives that strengthen the relation of young people of the Diaspora with the Region.
Paulo Teves spoke Saturday at the "Portuguese Cultural Night," assuring that the Azorean Government will maintain "this policy and focus on bringing of young people of Azorean descent closer to the archipelago." In this context, he announced the promotion of "a training course for young people residing in the communities."
"This initiative is primarily intended to make young people of Azorean descent better acquainted with the current Azorean society by addressing their social, cultural and economic aspects. Moreover, it aims to instil in young people the need to be involved in community projects with ties to the Azores and their roots," noted Paulo Teves.
"Whether in the Azores or in the Diaspora, we must take up the challenge to maintain, perpetuate and invigorate our associations throughout the world as well as to intensify initiatives directed to young people," said Paulo Teves. The government official spoke at the Portuguese Athletic Club under the 41st annual conference of the Luso American Education Foundation (LAEF).
According to Paulo Teves, the training course will address topics related to tourism, economy, community leadership, entrepreneurship, environment and the sea.
This year, the initiative will directed to young people living in the USA, while the future editions will cover other countries where there are Azorean communities.
"The Government of the Azores, through the organisation of initiatives designed to young people of Azorean descent, has sought to strengthen their ties to the Region by encouraging participation in community activities and institutions that promote and preserve the Azorean cultural legacy in the societies where they are rooted," said the Director Regional.
As for the Government's priority in Azorean communities, Paulo Teves stressed that the Regional Government has awarded priority status to the implementation and support of initiatives that "bring young people together and encourage their active participation in the community world."
In this context, he stated that the support to the organisation of the annual LEAF conference and the partnership in the LAEF Summer Camp programme, through the integration of the cultural ambassador of the Azores in this project, reflects the "cooperation between the Government and the Diaspora associations to promote and foster the participation of young people."
"Bringing young people of the Diaspora closer to the their origins, through a more thorough and updated knowledge on the Atlantic islands, and providing them with the means that will allow them to establish a closer relation with new generations residing in the archipelago are the key goals we want to pursue. In this regard, we have the support and collaboration of our organisations and community leaders," said Paulo Teves.
The 41st edition of the annual conference of the Luso American Education Foundation, held in San José, USA, counted on the Regional Government's support.
The meeting, under the theme "Roots," brought together Portuguese language students and teachers as well as community associations with the aim of disseminating and promoting the Portuguese legacy in California.