Poverty Reduction Strategy is on the ground and is a long process that does not generate immediate impacts, says Andreia Cardoso
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity stated in Horta that about 80% of the actions foreseen in the 2018-2019 Action Plan under the Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion are already on the ground, recalling that it is a "long and demanding process that requires persistence and does not yield immediate results.
Andreia Cardoso spoke at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on poverty and social exclusion promoted by the CDS/PP. On the occasion, she recalled that the various phases of the Strategy proceed as planned, noting that measures to promote the development of children and young people do not have immediate results on poverty indicators.
"This is a long-term investment that will enable, through education and qualification, today's children to effectively access standards of quality of life that are substantially different from their parents. This is the path we have chosen and that we are treading," said the government official.
The Secretary for Social Solidarity demonstrated the evolution registered by the Region over the last years, through indicators such as the average life expectancy at birth that shows improvements in the last five years and a half or the proportion of workers with lower income, which has declined from 28 to 21 per cent since 2017.
It should be noted that the Gross Enrolment Rate in Preschool Education stands at 95%. According to the government official, "the ongoing investment made to guarantee Azorean children access to preschool education and, consequently, to promote their development and success has placed the Region above the national average," said Andreia Cardoso.
The Regional Secretary also mentioned the framework of income improvement policies as well as the easier access to public services," which have "improved the quality of life of citizens."
The 2018-2019 Action Plan comprises 83 actions and involves about 15 different governmental agencies, as entities responsible for actions, and a wide range of partners in order to respond to various relevant aspects in the fight against poverty.
Notwithstanding the regional scope of the Strategy, the first Action Plan defines five territories where the interventions will focus, based on a close coordination between various governmental departments and local entities.