More than 150 young people from the Azores, Mainland Portugal and Madeira at Atlantic Democracy Forum in Ponta Delgada - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

More than 150 young people will participate in the Atlantic Democracy Forum 25.4 next weekend, an initiative organised by the National Federation of Youth Associations (FNAJ) in partnership with the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment.

This national meeting of youth associations, which will take place at the Aula Magna of the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada, will be held in the Region for the first time on September 27, 28 and 29. It will bring together 153 young people from the Azores, Mainland Portugal, and Madeira, along with 85 youth associations: 63 of the associations from Mainland Portugal, 26 from the Azores, and two from Madeira.

On Friday, the panel "Women and the April 25 Revolution," with Ana Gomes, former MEP and political commentator; Clara Não, illustrator, chronicler and entrepreneur; and Carolina Teixeira Rosa, the first Portuguese model with Trisomy 21.

On Saturday, the highlight will be the panel "Global Citizenship - New Narratives," with Bruno Gonçalves and Paulo do Nascimento Cabral, both MEPs; Paulo Moniz, Member of the National Parliament; Délia Melo, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores; and Abulai Djaura, President of RENAJ - National Network of Youth Associations of Guinea-Bissau.

Also on Saturday, there will be a panel on "New Forms of Youth Participation," with Paulo Tomás Santos, Vice-President of the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth; Eládio Braga, Regional Director for Youth; and Catarina Araújo, Councillor for Youth in the Municipality of Porto.

The Atlantic Democracy Forum 25.4 also brings together 17 mayors from across the country and facilitators who will organise workshops with young people on participation, public policies and European citizenship.

On Friday, at 7:15 pm, the opening session will be chaired by the President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro. It will be attended by the Assistant Secretary of State for Equality, Carla Mouro, the President of FNAJ, Marco Santos, and the Director of the National Erasmus+ Youth/Sport and ESC Agency, Luís Alves.

The closing session on Saturday at 6:45 pm will be chaired by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro.

On Sunday, September 29, the young participants will participate in the "Young Azores" cultural tour of the island of São Miguel, promoted by the Regional Directorate for Youth.

This national meeting, which is taking place for the first time in the Region, takes place in the context of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of April 25, 1974. It is an opportunity for association leaders, technicians and political decision-makers to reflect on the challenges of youth associations, with a view to greater participation by young people in public life, and the definition and implementation of public policies for and by young people.

Full programme here (PT).