The Regional Secretary for the Economy, Vasco Cordeiro, conveyed his satisfaction with the organisation of initiatives by civil society movements that aim to distinguish the excellence of Azorean students in Ponta Delgada on Tuesday night.
The Government official spoke on behalf of the President of the Government at the Christmas dinner organised by the Ponta Delgada Rotary Club to distinguish the best students from the Secondary Schools of Ponta Delgada and the University of the Azores in the field of Economics and Management.
“Give yourself before thinking about yourself” was the motto of the Ponta Delgada Rotary Club, an inspiring night for Vasco Cordeiro, which was chosen with the purpose of combining this motto with an attitude which perhaps will not be the most traditional in its approach. 
For the Regional Secretary, the tribute paid to the best students from the Secondary Schools of Ponta Delgada embodies this motto, especially in the present context when we face great challenges as this is an initiative that can help us to overcome these difficulties. 
Appealing to excellence, to the quality that may exist in each of us to contribute to a better world and the tribute paid by the Ponta Delgada Rotary Club is actually very important as it exactly emphasises what is an absolute necessity in the present moment, stressed the Regional Secretary.
On the other hand, Vasco Cordeiro urged the distinguished students to reflect on the significance of this distinction as well as to give their best effort throughout their studies and the respective professional activities because this is also a contribution to a better society.
The Regional Secretary addressed words of appraisal to all those who integrate the Rotary movement, congratulating them for the organisation of these initiatives and concluded his speech wishing to all a Merry Christmas and a happy 2011 full of peace, health and prosperity.