On March 8, the Azorean Government, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, holds the international seminar on "Integration and Diversity" in Ponta Delgada on occasion of the meeting of the Metropolis International Steering Committee. This event aims to be a space for reflection and dialogue on issues related to integration, interculturality and diversity in the area of migration.
 
The programme consists of four theme sessions and features lectures delivered by scholars from the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Massey University (New Zealand), National University of Malaysia, University of British Columbia (Canada), the University of Warsaw (Poland), University of Lisbon and University of the Azores.. It also involves the participation of representatives from the Government of the Azores, IOM - International Organisation for Migration and the High Commissioner for Migration as well as of representatives from various associations working in the area of migrations in the Azores and the USA.
 
The seminar, open to all interested parties, will take place at Teatro Micaelense between 9 AM and 5 PM. Registrations must be made at the email [email protected].
 
The Azores will host this year the meeting of the Metropolis International Steering Committee to take place in the city of Lagoa on March 9, following the application submitted by the Regional Government to this organisation. In this context, the Region was chosen for the work carried out in area of migration and the Azorean diaspora.
 
This Committee, which meets twice a year, is the main decision-making body of Metropolis, an international network headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, for research and development of public policies in the area of migration, diversity and integration. 
 
Metropolis comprises a network of 65 entities from 23 countries, including universities, think tanks, governments, associations and international organisations.
The organisation of the Metropolis International Steering Committee by the Government of the Azores is of great relevance to the Region as far as the seminar will provide a space for interaction and discussion on the themes of diversity and integration at regional, national and international level.
 
On March 9, the photography exhibition entitled "Land in the middle of the Sea" will be open to the public at Caloura Cultural Centre at 6 PM in the context of the programme of these two events.
 
The exhibition is curated by Tomaz Borba Vieira. It consists of a collection of photographs depicting landscapes, experiences and the soul of the archipelago by 10 photographers of Azorean origin or residing in the Azores, including António Araújo, Carlos Mendes, Eduardo Costa, Fernando Resendes, Luís Godinho, Nuno Sá, Pedro Silva, Pepe Brix, Rui Vieira and Sérgio Ávila.