The Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation, Rodrigo Oliveira, conveyed his satisfaction for the fact that the Azores were chosen for the organisation of the Summer University of the Assembly of European Regions, which will be held in Ponta Delgada.

"We are at a place where History and Nature, along with the institutional dimensions, are an inspiring setting for discussions on culture and creative industries" said Rodrigo Oliveira. The statements were made by the government official after mentioning that "the Azores have given to the country some of its greatest values in the fields of literature, poetry, painting, sculpture and music without forgetting the renowned scholars and politicians."

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Government at the commencement of the works, the Regional Under Secretary stressed this important initiative as it promotes the coordination between several entities from European Regions with the purpose of pursuing policies and strategies for the development of regions. The organisation of this event in the Azores is regarded as the "recognition of the public policies that have been implemented in the areas of culture, entrepreneurship and youth in the Azores, which are also good examples at a European level."

The initiative, organised under the theme "The Role of Creative Industries in the Promotion of Employment and Growth in European Regions," will gather 120 experts on culture and creative industries in Ponta Delgada until Friday. The theme under discussion "aims to draw the attention to an often overlooked aspect in the current context: the contribution provide by culture and creative industries in overcoming difficult times."

At the occasion, Rodrigo Oliveira revealed that the Regional Government has focused on these issues over the years, through the development of initiatives intended to search for solutions to promote the progress of territories and acknowledge the value of different European identities.

According to Regional Under Secretary, the Azores are a reference point for Europe and, therefore, they have an economic potential in various areas: oceanography, volcanology, seismology biotechnology, renewable energy, space technologies, agriculture, fisheries and sustainable tourism.

For the government official, the Azorean people have known how to turn difficulties into opportunities throughout their history. Currently, the European status is source of pride for the Azoreans, who claim their centrality in the middle of the Atlantic thanks to their geostrategic location.

Hence, the Government is confident in the efforts undertaken to promote the debate among young Azorean creators and their European peers in order to find new solutions and innovative opportunities for our Region, mentioned the Regional Under Secretary. The government official also highlighted the "strong dynamics of the Azores participation in the ARE, which is precisely focused on the themes of youth, mobility and employability, including the youth mobility programme - Eurodyssey."

Rodrigo Oliveira hopes that this event be the "starting point for creating a network where young promoters from European Regions, united by the will and enthusiasm of European youth, may be able to share new projects based on creative industries with the purpose of creating new strategies for our future."