The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, is organising an International Seminar for Social Service Organisations from the Azores and the Diaspora next Monday, April 14, at the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory auditorium in Ponta Delgada.
With this meeting, the Azorean Government intends to reactivate and boost the International Network of Social Organisations in the United States of America, Canada and Bermuda, with which the Regional Directorate for the Communities maintains annual financial cooperation protocols. They are intended to strengthen transatlantic collaboration for the benefit of the Azorean communities in North America.
This initiative brings together representatives of various institutions working in social intervention with the Azorean communities in the United States of America, Canada, Bermuda and the Autonomous Region of the Azores to support the integration of Azorean emigrants and returned emigrants.
The international seminar is open to the general public and aims to share the work carried out by the different organisations. Its sessions are broadcast directly on the “Azorean Communities” page on Facebook and the Regional Government YouTube channel.
The work begins at 10 a.m. with a first panel dedicated to “Social Service Organisations in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.” It will feature the following participants: Telma Silva, from the Regional Directorate for the Communities, Tânica Fonseca, from ISSA – Institute for Social Security of the Azores, Andrea Moniz de Sousa, from the Association of Azorean Emigrants, Emanuela Braga, from APAV – Portuguese Association for Victim Support, Suzete Frias, from ARRISCA – Regional Association for Rehabilitation and Socio-Cultural Integration of the Azores, Paulo Braga, from Instituto São João de Deus / Casa de Saúde de São Miguel (mental institution), and Helder Fernandes, from NOVO DIA – Association for Social Inclusion.
The work resumes at 2:30 p.m., with a second panel on “Social Service Organisations in the United States of America.” It will feature the following speakers: Rui Rosa, from Catholic Social Services (Fall River, Massachusetts), Helena Hughes, from the Immigrants Assistance Center (New Bedford, Massachusetts), Paulo Pinto, from MAPS – Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Elsa Oliveira, from POSSO – Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities (San Jose, California), Cristina Raposo, from SER Jobs for Progress (Fall River, Massachusetts), and Elmano Rosa, from VALER – Valley Area Living Enabling Resources (Turlock, California- VALER ).
The third and final panel of the seminar, scheduled for 4 p.m., will focus on “Social Service Organisations in Canada and Bermuda” and will feature speeches by Marília dos Santos, from the Abrigo Centre (Toronto, Ontario), Anabela Nunes, from the Working Women Community Centre (Toronto, Ontario), Adélia Ferreira, from the Centre for Socio-Community Action of Montreal (Montreal, Quebec), Nance Martins, from the Luso Canadian Charitable Society (Hamilton, Ontario), and Richard Ambrósio, from the Vasco da Gama Club (Bermuda).
The three panels will be followed by debates moderated by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade.
The following day, April 15, the association leaders will visit the Emergency Shelter Centre (Drop-in) of NOVO DIA – Association for Social Inclusion and the Cáritas Unit on the island of São Miguel.
In the afternoon, there will be an internal meeting of the International Network of Social Service Organisations in the Azores and the Diaspora, involving the participation of the entities represented at the seminar, which will be held in the training room of the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory. The sessions address the prospects for social support for Azorean emigrants in North America and emigrants returning/deported to the Region.
This meeting, chaired by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, will also be attended by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and the coordinator of the International Network of Social Service Organisations in the Azores and the Diaspora, Telma Silva.
The mission of the international network of social service organisations is to encourage cooperation and coordination between institutions in various countries under the coordination of the Regional Directorate for the Communities. It brings together associations and/or other organisations involved in social activities with the Azorean communities in the United States of America, Canada and Bermuda.
Acknowledging the relevant role played by these organisations, the Regional Government of the Azores has promoted support for their activities, through annual financial cooperation protocols, promoting the integration and well-being of the Azorean communities, not only in the regions where they have emigrated but also in their homeland upon their return.
