Regional Government to assess literacy status and democratic participation of young people, says Maria João Carreiro - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Qualificação Profissional e Emprego

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment proposed the launch of a study to assess the literacy status and democratic participation of young people in the Region to be conducted by the Azores Youth Observatory (OJA). 

Maria João Carreiro spoke after a working meeting with Fernando Diogo, Ana Palos and Sandro Serpa, coordinators of Azores Youth Observatory. According to her, the study should "begin in the first quarter of this year and focus on topics such as the knowledge of democratic institutions, local and regional authorities, civic participation or youth and student associations."

"There is evidence of the low literacy and participation of young people in public and political life. Accordingly, this study intends to assess the knowledge and practices of young people so that, based on its results, measures and actions can be defined to stimulate greater civic and democratic participation of young Azoreans, not only at a local level but also at a regional level," said the government official at the end of the meeting. The event was also attended by the Regional Director for Youth, Eládio Braga.

The conclusions of the study will serve as a basis for the construction of the Regional Plan for Youth Democratic Participation and Literacy, a commitment of the XIII Government of the Azores, included in the Annual Investment Plan for 2023 in the area of Youth. The preliminary proposal should be completed in the third quarter of this year, said Maria João Carreiro.

According to the Secretary for Youth, the Regional Plan for Literacy and Democratic Participation is expected to be implemented "at the beginning of next year and within a three-year period." It will cover young people aged between 12 and 30 as well as Vocational and Regular Schools, Youth Associations, Private Social Solidarity Institutions or Local Government Bodies.

"This Regional Plan will be an opportunity to further strengthen the involvement of young people with Autonomy and with democratic institutions. It will also contribute to the reduction of abstention by young people and to the consolidation of their participation in public and political decision-making processes," stressed the Regional Secretary for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment.