The Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity called for social entrepreneurship as a contribution to the "creation of fundamental ties to support those who are most vulnerable at this time."
 
"Be emotionally involved because this is a fundamental mission of our society," the government official said, adding that "the most important thing is to believe that we can help these children and these families."

Ana Paula Marques spoke during the opening session of the Regional Meeting of the National Commissions for the Protection of Children and Youth taking place in Ponta Delgada. The government official said that "those involved in this area are people who dedicate themselves. They give everything and feel that if they can the save the life path, the development and happiness of a child, they will be providing a fundamental contribution to build a better society."

The government official praised the partnerships with regional institutions and civil society in favour of the interests of children.
 
In this context, she recalled the pilot project for Parental Education that was put into operation in all municipalities of São island in 2011. This project covered families with children aged between 2 and 13 years. Thanks to the "excellent results" achieved in this initial phase, Ana Paula Marques expects to extend the initiative to the other islands.

This measure, like other developed and promoted by the Azorean Government, is "the result of the Government's commitment that has made the necessary investments so that children and families may live better in the Azores," said the government official.

With regard to the commissions, the Regional Secretary considered them as "the most brilliant form of democratic participation."

Ana Paula Marques also took the opportunity to praise "the fundamental work" carried out by commissions, private social solidarity institutions, the Public Ministry and the Ponta Delgada Children and Family Court.

There are 19 Commissions for the Protection of Children and Youth (CPCJ) installed in the Azores, which corresponds to coverage rate of 100% per municipality.

According to figures released today, the regional CPCJ monitored 3152 cases of promotion and protection in 2011.

The data released in the CPCJ activity report indicate that negligence and exposure to deviant behaviour are the most dangerous situations identified in the Region, registering 29.9% (333) and 18.8% (210).