The Global Madeira Forum is a forum created to discuss the status of the Madeiran Diaspora, as it exists throughout the world in such diverse places as South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Venezuela, Brazil, and the United States, and its relationship to the land of origin.  In the past, the forum has been held every four years, but the Direção Regional das Comunidades e Cooperação Externa voted this year to hold it annually.  

      The forum was a one-day event consisting of an address by the President of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, and other dignitaries, 2 panels of round table discussions, questions from the audience, and a photo exhibit highlighting the history of Madeiran immigration. The day’s events were followed by a reception at Quinta Vigia, the President’s executive office. 

I was introduced by the Ambassador, Francisco Duarte Lopes, to Paulo Cafôfo, the current Secretary of the Communities, who is from Madeira,  at the reception for the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa last year in San Jose.  After discussing PALCUS and its role in the Portuguese Community, the Secretary asked if I would be interested in participating in the Global Forum. I said I would be honored, and he told me he would place my name for nomination.  I received the formal invitation last March. I was the only representative from the United States, and to my knowledge am its first representative.

We thank our friend John Bento for his testimonial and for representing the United States in the global forum. Mr. Bento is an advisor to our Madeira Diaspora Initiative at PBBI-Fresno State.