The Government of the Azores, in partnership with the European Commission, promotes the "Dialogue with Citizens" under the theme "Azores Europe: Paths towards the Future" in Ponta Delgada on March 18.
 
The initiative will involve the participation of Rui Bettencourt, Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, and Dana Spinant, Head of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy. It will also be attended by the Head of the Outermost Regions Unit, Paula Duarte Gaspar.
 
The event takes place at Teatro Micaelense at 3:30 PM; admission is free. Given the number the limited number of seats, those who are interested must register by March 14 at the email [email protected].
 
Those interested may also attend and participate in this debate at the auditorium of the Angra do Heroísmo Campus of the University of the Azores on Terceira and at the Legislative Assembly on Faial.
 
The "Dialogues with Citizens" are public debates taking place in a number of European cities that involve the presence of European Union policy-makers. The purpose is to bring citizens closer to Community or regional public policies and their decision-makers and promote a more active participation by posing questions or sharing their ideas about the future of Europe.
 
Hence, these initiatives provide an opportunity of participation to reflect on the process of European integration as well as on the main concerns and expectations of citizens in fundamental areas concerning the European Union, thus stimulating citizens' debate on these matters.
 
The organisation of the event in the Azores coincides with the date marking the fifth anniversary of the death of José Medeiros Ferreira, after whom the Regional Government's scholarship programme for attendance in the College of Europe was named. For this reason, the "Dialogues with Citizens," besides addressing issues related to Europe and the Azores, will focus on the education and training of young Europeans and Azorean youth in particular.
 
The Government of the Azores will pay tribute to the Azorean historian and politician who promoted Portugal's application to the then EEC as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
 
Also on the same day, the Solmar Bookshop will present the first volume of "Obras Escolhidas de Medeiros Ferreira: Portugal contemporâneo – História e Política" (Selected Works of Medeiros Ferreira: Contemporary Portugal - History and Politics), organised by Maria Inácia Rezola, who will also make its presentation. The session, scheduled for 6 PM, will be also attended by Maria Emília Brederode Santos, from the National Education Council.