Regional Government highlights importance and potential of diaspora for regional development
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stressed in Ponta Delgada the importance of becoming aware of what is to be Azorean outside the Region and the "unity of all Azoreans around the world" in view of the political, economic and cultural affirmation of the Azores.
Rui Bettencourt stated that "the Azorean diaspora is extremely significant," representing four to eight times more Azoreans living outside the Region than the population residing in the archipelago. As he also emphasised, "it has reached great maturity," with many Azoreans achieving prominence in the political, academic, social and economic areas.
The Regional Secretary spoke at the presentation of the Council of Azorean Diaspora considering that "this is the moment when there is a new generation of our diaspora is emerging." Hence, this a favourable opportunity to create "political conditions for the involvement of the diaspora in the Azorean project."
This is the major goal underpinning the creation of the Council of the Azorean Diaspora, whose proposal for regional legislative decree has already been submitted to the Legislative Assembly. In this regard, the Regional Government intends to implement mechanisms for the promotion and recognition of the diaspora as well as for the awareness of its importance and potential in view of their participation in the development of the Azores.
During the presentation of the legal document, Rui Bettencourt highlighted the existence of two fundamental tools for the pursuit of our goals. According to him, the first involves "the creation of a database for the registry of the Azoreans around the world." In turn, the second involves "the creation of a system of election, based on this database, so that these Azoreans living in the diaspora can elect their representatives to the Council" from lists in the geographical areas where the communities are established.
According to the Regional Secretary, these mechanisms "will ensure the participation, collaboration and hearing of Azoreans throughout the world" in the debate and definition of public policies and projects in the Azores.
The Azorean Diaspora Council will be an advisory body to the Government of the Azores, chaired by the President of the Government. It will comprise several other regional entities and representatives from various geographical areas of the Azorean diaspora, the World Council of Houses of the Azores, emigrant associations operating in the Azores and the Council of Portuguese Communities.