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Presidência do Governo Regional
José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans
José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
Regional Government steps up efforts to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles among young people
Regional Government steps up efforts to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles among young people
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
April 21, 2026
José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans
March 27, 2026
Regional Government steps up efforts to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles among young people
March 20, 2026
€1.3 million in funding allocated to culture
News
Nota de Imprensa
April 21, 2026
José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans
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.
April 21, 2026
José Manuel Bolieiro challenges children to “be friends with the sea” at book presentation on oceans
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.
Nota de Imprensa
March 27, 2026
Regional Government steps up efforts to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles among young people
The Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security and the Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport, is stepping up its commitment to an integrated approach to the prevention of ill health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among young people, highlighting the growing role of digital behaviours in health and well-being. In this regard, the initiative held today in Ponta Delgada marked the inclusion of Sport in the Regional Calendar for the Prevention and Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles, a key difference from previous editions. “Promoting healthy lifestyles also involves promoting balanced digital behaviours, hence the importance of initiatives on the ground such as this one,” Mónica Seidi stated, calling for greater emphasis on digital literacy, online wellbeing and family involvement. In turn, the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, highlighted the importance of integrating sport and education into this strategy: “Sport and physical activity are areas of excellence in promoting healthy lifestyles,” she said. According to the Secretary for Education and Sport, the Government has been “increasing investment and programmes in these areas, with a view to reaching a wider population across all age groups, prioritising the youngest age groups." The government officials highlighted the work that has been carried out in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in collaboration with schools, health services, law enforcement agencies and prevention teams, with a view to empowering young people to make more informed and responsible choices. The activities held throughout the day included a cycling circuit, a Zumba class, a road safety awareness session and the creation of a mural featuring messages about healthy lifestyles. The Government of the Azores emphasises that preventing illness and promoting the well-being of the Azorean population are a collective commitment that requires the active involvement of public entities, families and society as a whole.
March 27, 2026
Regional Government steps up efforts to promote prevention and healthy lifestyles among young people
The Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security and the Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport, is stepping up its commitment to an integrated approach to the prevention of ill health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among young people, highlighting the growing role of digital behaviours in health and well-being. In this regard, the initiative held today in Ponta Delgada marked the inclusion of Sport in the Regional Calendar for the Prevention and Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles, a key difference from previous editions. “Promoting healthy lifestyles also involves promoting balanced digital behaviours, hence the importance of initiatives on the ground such as this one,” Mónica Seidi stated, calling for greater emphasis on digital literacy, online wellbeing and family involvement. In turn, the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, highlighted the importance of integrating sport and education into this strategy: “Sport and physical activity are areas of excellence in promoting healthy lifestyles,” she said. According to the Secretary for Education and Sport, the Government has been “increasing investment and programmes in these areas, with a view to reaching a wider population across all age groups, prioritising the youngest age groups." The government officials highlighted the work that has been carried out in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, in collaboration with schools, health services, law enforcement agencies and prevention teams, with a view to empowering young people to make more informed and responsible choices. The activities held throughout the day included a cycling circuit, a Zumba class, a road safety awareness session and the creation of a mural featuring messages about healthy lifestyles. The Government of the Azores emphasises that preventing illness and promoting the well-being of the Azorean population are a collective commitment that requires the active involvement of public entities, families and society as a whole.