Faria e Castro challenges local authorities to be partners in promoting more active European citizenship - Communication

Subsecretário Regional da Presidência

The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency challenged this weekend in the town of Nordeste, São Miguel Island, municipal and parish councils to be partners in disseminating European themes among young people and the population in general. 

Pedro de Faria e Castro spoke at the closing session of the 2nd Regional Meeting of European Clubs, stressing that these entities are "very important vehicles for the dissemination" and promotion of a "more active and participatory European citizenship."

"They are the level of power closest to citizens," the Regional Under Secretary said, expressing his expectations that they will, in fact, be "vehicles for the promotion of European identity." 

In his speech, Faria e Castro highlighted the important role played by European Clubs and their promotion by teachers and schools. According to him, "they will be the critical mass of what will then be the intended result, which is to take the idea of Europe to students."

"It is very important to convey the values of the European Union to our young people," said the government official.

"We are at a very important moment in the life of the international system. More than ever, I feel that this moment is crucial for us to do precisely this: make our young people understand what the values enshrined in the EU treaties are and ensure that these values are passed on," he also said. 

The Regional Under Secretary also stressed the importance of the partnership with the Directorate-General for Education and with the National Network of European Clubs, which were also represented at this Meeting. 

The closing session of this Meeting was also attended by the Regional Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs, Sofia Ribeiro, and the Deputy Mayor of Nordeste, Marco Mourão. 

The 2nd Regional Meeting involved the participation of the coordinators of the European Clubs of the regional schools that are registered in the National Network this school year, namely from the islands of Pico, São Jorge, Terceira and São Miguel.