Azores and Armed Forces to promote active and responsible citizenship among students
The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture conveyed his expectation that the partnership established between the Regional Government and the Armed Forces in the context of promoting the exercise of active and responsible citizenship among students in the regional education system will “effectively yield results."
Avelino Meneses spoke at the signing of a protocol between the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture (SREC) and the Azores Operational Command of the Armed Forces (COAEMGFA). On the occasion, he mentioned the "search for perfection" that guides military culture as an "example" for schools that, "despite admitting the right to error, strive on a daily basis" to achieve the greater goal.
Moreover, the government official stated that schools, at a time of compulsory schooling, are "the best" recruitment ground for the armed forces. So, it is up to the military to "convince young people of the advantages of a career, if not permanent at least temporary, which will always be an opportunity to acquire useful skills for life."
The protocol was signed today under the Dissemination Programme, an initiative aimed at dignifying the role of the Armed Forces in the Portuguese Society. The initiative will be developed in the Azores from the school year 2019-2020, covering, in a first phase, elementary school students from all schools.
Firstly, a visiting plan to military units or to air and naval units, mobilising the three branches of the armed forces based in the Region, will be established for Azorean schools, more specifically for 4th form students. The aim is to "make them aware of the values of the military institution and of citizenship so that they can acquire knowledge on the most representative activities of the Portuguese armed forces in a dynamic and appealing way."
At a later stage, a plan of lectures to be delivered by military personnel at secondary schools will be established with the aim of promoting active and responsible citizenship among young people.
Additionally, the programme covered by the protocol signed between SREC and COAEMGFA also intends to improve the image of the armed forces as an institution and of their military personnel, promote partnerships and to establish institutional relations with public and private entities.