PICO, Azores — The president of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Luís Garcia, on Monday called on young people to take an active role in shaping the region’s future, arguing that new generations will be critical to sustaining and deepening Azorean autonomy in the decades ahead.

Garcia delivered his remarks during the opening session of the forum “Autonomy and Freedom,” held at the Escola Básica e Secundária da Madalena on Pico Island. Addressing students directly, he framed civic engagement not as an abstract ideal but as a daily responsibility. “Autonomy is built by people who refuse to remain indifferent,” he said. “Take part — in your schools, your associations, your communities.”

The parliamentary leader emphasized that commemorating autonomy is not only about honoring the past but also about confronting the future with intention. He urged students to consider not just what their community can offer them, but what they themselves can contribute. “More than the future, you are already the present,” Garcia said, underscoring that the choices and participation of today’s youth will shape the trajectory of the Azores.

Speaking to an audience of more than 100 students, Garcia sought to broaden the definition of autonomy beyond institutions and legislation. “Autonomy is not only about governments, laws or parliaments,” he said. “It is about knowing how to decide — and accepting the consequences of those decisions.” He pointed to the region’s ongoing policy choices as evidence of that responsibility, noting that prioritizing one area of investment inevitably means delaying another. “Every choice carries a trade-off,” he added.

Garcia also praised the school’s initiative in hosting the event as part of broader commemorations, calling it a meaningful contribution to the region. “A school is not just a place of learning,” he said. “It is, above all, a space where memory is passed on, values are shaped, and a sense of civic participation is awakened.

From a Press Release.