On October 22 and 23, young people from schools in the Azores will showcase their talent and creativity at the Portugal Digital Summit, the leading national event dedicated to the digital economy, which will take place at the Lisbon Congress Center.

As part of the Apps for Good App Start Up initiative, promoted by CDI Portugal, students from the Madalena do Pico Primary and Secondary School and the Lajes do Pico Primary and Secondary School will present two innovative projects, among the thirteen selected from across the country. App Start Up aims to create opportunities for contact between student teams and incubators, investors, and companies, enhancing the professional development of projects through mentoring, training, or financial support.

The Madalena do Pico Primary and Secondary School presents the We Care app, developed to support people with dementia, facilitating their identification and contact with family members and caregivers, in response to the growing incidence of mental health problems in society. The Lajes do Pico Primary and Secondary School presents the SURI project, winner of the first prize in the Primary Education category of the 11th edition of Apps for Good. SURI consists of a bracelet with RFID technology and a group management application, ensuring total control and safety on school trips, field trips, nursing homes, and events, with features such as geolocation, SMS alerts, and digital authorizations.

The Pitch program takes place at various times throughout the event, with a focus on the “Connect with People” sessions, which promote dialogue between young people, experts, and representatives of leading companies on topics such as the digital economy, the inclusion of women in technology, innovation, cybersecurity, and the future of work in a technological context.

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, director

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