The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism pointed out that CRADS - Regional Council for Environment and Sustainable Development will foster the participation of citizens "in decision-making" in the areas over which the Council has powers.
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the Legislative Assembly in Horta during the discussion of the proposal to change the organisation and working rules of CRADS, which was unanimously approved. With this legislative initiative, this advisory body is endowed with "a more comprehensive participatory component," the government official said, adding that "this revision was already planned in the Government's Programme."
The Regional Secretary pointed out that citizens may participate "either by presenting communications at the plenary session or by submitting comments or suggestions on the themes under discussion, through the Internet page available on the Regional Government Portal."
The Secretary for the Environment emphasised that this legislative initiative "responds to the goal of promoting the participation of citizens in this advisory body, ensuring their direct influence on decisions concerning environmental policies."
"This revision process will not only increase citizen participation, but also establish other changes that will make this Regional Council stronger, more robust, more effective and more important," stressed the Regional Secretary. In terms of organisation, she added that "the representation of governmental department will cease to exist so that this entity mat become a council of partners."
"The scope of its action will widen with the introduction of the areas of energy and sustainable mobility. Additionally, this entity will have powers in the definition and monitoring of agricultural, forest and rural development policies as well as in environmental policies regarding the maritime space adjacent to the archipelago of the Azores," added the government official.
According to Marta Guerreiro, "this legislative initiative guarantees the right of public participation in matters related to these public policies, while ensuring dialogue and cooperation with civil society entities and organisations with an interest in these areas towards the achievement of consensuses."
Marta Guerreiro highlighted "the profound change in the promotion and protection of heritage as an part of each of us," noting that "all Azoreans are the protagonists" in the construction of a "better and more sustainable" future in the Azores.