José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, participated today in the ceremony marking the delivery of the first books from the “Patrulha Ação Azul” collection, an initiative under the “Educating for a Blue Generation” programme. The event took place at the Aula Magna of the University of the Azores in Ponta Delgada and was attended by hundreds of elementary school children. 

In a speech noted for its warmth and accessible language tailored to a young audience, the head of the Azorean Government emphasised the significance of the occasion.

“You are here because of our collective future,” he said, calling younger generations to take responsibility for preserving the ocean.

José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the key role of the sea in Azorean identity, highlighting the need for an attitude based on care and respect.

"The sea is our friend. We want to be friends with our sea. This is the challenge: looking after it and protecting it, as it looks after us and protects us too," he said.

The President of the Regional Government also delivered a message of regional pride, recalling the Azores’ maritime dimension: “Keep this in mind, the Azores’ sea is Portugal’s largest sea. When people tell you we are small because we are just nine islands, tell them the opposite - we are really big, as we have a huge sea,” he emphasised.

The initiative marks the beginning of the distribution of about 10,000 children’s books on ocean literacy to all elementary school students throughout the Region, an initiative promoted by the Blue Azores programme in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport and the Lisbon Oceanarium.

For José Manuel Bolieiro, this effort falls within a broader strategy of environmental leadership.

“We are proud of this global project to protect the sea. The Azores are leading the way; we are taking the first steps so that others may follow. We are pioneers in setting a good example,” he said, noting that “actions speak louder than words.”

The head of the Azorean Government further emphasised the importance of intergenerational commitment.

“We want to look after our environment not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. Protecting what we love is a duty of the present,” he declared.

Implemented in the Azores since 2019, the “Educating for a Blue Generation” programme has already involved thousands of students and teachers in initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of oceans, establishing itself as one of the pillars of the regional marine conservation strategy.

Also present at the ceremony were the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro; the Rector of the University of the Azores, Susana Mira Leal; the coordinator of the Blue Azores programme, Luís Bernardo Brito e Abreu; and the administrator and chief scientist of the Oceano Azul Foundation, Emanuel Gonçalves.