A group of 11 young community leaders from the Azorean diaspora will travel to the Azores from October 6 to 13 to visit the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and São Jorge. The initiative is organised by the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, in partnership with the Houses of the Azores.
The visit includes young people of Azorean descent, aged between 18 and 35, representing the Houses of the Azores based in Bermuda, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), the United States of America (New England), Canada (Ontario, Quebec and Winnipeg), Mainland Portugal (North region) and Uruguay.
With this initiative, the Regional Government aims to make the social, cultural and economic reality of the contemporary Azores known to the new generations of the Azorean diaspora, through the visit of a young representative from each community. It also intends to arouse interest in their roots, involving them in the rejuvenation of associations and, as such, in the continuity of the Houses of the Azores.
The programme begins on the island of São Miguel on Sunday, October 6, with a welcome reception attended by the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, accompanied by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade.
On the morning of the following day, October 7, the young community leaders will exchange greetings with the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, at the Santana Palace, followed by a briefing at the Regional Directorate for the Communities.
They will visit the University of the Azores and Nonagon – São Miguel Science and Technology Park in the afternoon.
The second day in São Miguel will include visits to the Priolo Environmental Centre in Nordeste, the Chã da Gorreana Factory, Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Centre and the Azorean Emigration Museum in Ribeira Grande.
On Wednesday, October 9, the group will visit the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretation Centre and Algar do Carvão. The following day, they will visit the Angra do Heroísmo Museum, the Capitães-Generais Palace, Terinov – Terceira Island Science and Technology Park and StartUP Angra – the local business incubator of the Angra de Heroísmo Municipality, as well as the city of Praia da Vitória.
The visit of the young community leaders culminates with their participation in the 26th General Assembly of the World Council of Houses of the Azores, taking place in Velas on the island of São Jorge from October 11 to 13. This year’s event will be dedicated to the youth of the Azorean diaspora.
The young community leaders visiting the Azores are Nilson Vieira (Bermuda), Kerry Resendes (Winnipeg), Rui Vieira da Silva Teixeira (North region), Makayla Medeiros (New England), Katherine Carvalho (Ontario), Kayla Nunes (Quebec), Stephanie Valadão (Rio de Janeiro), Giovana Pereira (Rio Grande do Sul), Gabriella de Ávila (Santa Catarina), Victor Oliveira (São Paulo) and Milenna De León Silvera (Uruguay).
