"Equality policies are vital to strengthening social cohesion and promoting a fair and solidarity society where everyone, without exception, has the right to have a voice," stated Natércia Gaspar, the Regional Directorate for Solidarity and Social Security. The government official spoke this morning at the public presentation session of the initiative "Game of Equality," adding that the Regional Government has acknowledge the value of this aspiration in the current legislative period.

According to Natércia Gaspar, equality policies - closely linked to social and personal promotion of people - promote equality of rights, representation, recognition and respect; they grant the same opportunities to all individuals regardless of gender, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

The Government of the Azores believes that the Regional Director believes that equality policies comprise all sectors. "Only then we will be able to build a society where equality will be synonymous with respect for difference and diversity."

In the pursuit of equality policies promoted by the Government of the Azores, various partnerships have been developed with several civil society organisations with the aim of tackling of all forms of discrimination and promoting the equality of opportunities.

The "Game of Equality" is an example of the partnerships promoted and results from the collaboration between the Regional Directorate for Social Security and Solidarity Association and Norte Crescente Association under the "Equality Project."

Funded by the Regional Government through the Regional Directorate for Solidarity and Social Security since 2009, the "Equality Project" covers the northern area of the municipality of Ponta Delgada, including the villages of Ajuda da Bretanha, Santo António, Capelas, Santa Bárbara, Remédios, Pilar da Bretanha, Fenais da Luz and S. Vicente.

On the occasion, Natércia Gaspar praised the work carried out by Norte Crescente Association, which has contributed to local social development.