The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, stressed today, at the close of the 2nd Migration Forum, that the region has been “making an effort to meet the expectations” of those who choose the Azores to live and work.

At the session held at the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada, he said that the number of Portuguese courses aimed at emigrants will increase.

In addition, “learning about the diaspora” will be in the region’s schools. At the same time, the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities will set up a study office to “map the communities” of Azoreans and Azorean descendants around the world.

“We want to get to know our communities better and better,” stressed Paulo Estêvão, who also guaranteed that the current government of the Azores will increase support for emigrant associations.

“We are a proactive government. We want to do concrete things,” he continued, pointing out that, as far as training for journalists is concerned, which is also an area under his supervision, it will also be open to professionals working in the diaspora.

The first Migration Forum was held on October 26 and 27, 2023, on the islands of Faial and Pico.

The Forum, which met on Thursday and today, brought together academics and experts in migration, as well as representatives of regional associations working on the integration of migrants in the region.

The program also included sharing testimonies and presenting the perspectives of immigrants, returned emigrants, and immigrants of Azorean descent who are integrated on all the islands of the archipelago.

In Correio dos Açores, Natalino Viveiros-director

The following information and pictures are from Director José Andrade’s Facebook page.

Speech by the Regional Director for Communities at the opening of the II Migration Forum – University of the Azores, December 5, 2024

The inaugural conference of the II Migration Forum, this Thursday at the University of the Azores, with the new Scientific Director of the Migration Observatory, Pedro Góis, Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra and researcher at its Center for Social Studies.

The first panel of the II Migration Forum on policies to promote the integration of migrants, encouraged by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Thursday at the University of the Azores, was moderated by Telma Silva (DRC), with:

– Luís Goes Pinheiro, general coordinator of the Mission Structure for the Recovery of Pending Cases of AIMA – Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum

– José Andrade, Regional Director for Communities

– Leoter Viegas, president of AIPA – Association of Immigrants in the Azores

– Ana Silva, director of CRESAÇOR’s Migrant Support Office

– Nélia Silva, vice-president of the Association of Azorean Emigrants

The second panel of the II Migration Forum on Immigrants in the Azores, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Thursday at the University of the Azores, was moderated by Leoter Viegas (AIPA), with:

  • Camille Farge, physiotherapist, from France to Flores
  • Claudine Lourenço, journalist, from Brazil to Terceira
  • Diego Stone, a sportsman from Brazil to Corvo
  • Paulo Mendes, a businessman from Cape Verde to São Miguel
  • Valente Cuambe, an astrophysicist from Mozambique to Santa Maria
  • Viviane Carrico, trainer, from Brazil to Faial

The third panel of the II Migration Forum on Emigrants returning to the Azores, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Thursday at the University of the Azores, moderated by Rui Faria (Azorean Emigration Museum), featured:

  • João da Silva, a businessman from Canada to São Miguel
  • Luís Silva, association leader from Canada to São Miguel
  • Nélia Alves-Guimarães, director from the United States of America to São Miguel
  • Pedro Pimentel, a businessman from Angola to São Miguel
  • Roberto Lino, a businessman from the United States of America to Pico
  • Rosa Simas, from the United States of America to São Miguel

The fourth and final panel of the II Migration Forum on Azorean descendants who emigrated to the Azores, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Friday at the University of the Azores, moderated by Ana Silva (Cresaçor), with:

  • Daniel Gonçalves, a teacher from Brazil to Terceira
  • David Mendonça, a farmer from the United States of America to São Jorge
  • Jason Gouveia, pa riest from Canada to São Miguel
  • Jason Lima, computer scientist, from the United States of America to Graciosa
  • Mário Silva, mayor, from Canada to Pico
  • Ricky Batista, mayor, from Canada to Terceira

The 2nd Migration Forum’s final conference, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Friday at the University of the Azores, was given by Catarina Reis de Oliveira, a Professor at the Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Lisbon and former Director of the Migration Observatory (2005-2024).

The monologue “Vidas – Entre o Verde e a Saudade,” written by Liliana Cardoso and performed by Ângela Fernandes, a Brazilian actress who immigrated to São Miguel, closed the first day of the 2nd Migration Forum, organized by the Regional Directorate for Communities this Thursday at the University of the Azores.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.