The Government will promote a Meeting of Media Bodies of the Diaspora communities in 2016. The event will bring together representatives of printed and online newspapers, radio stations and televisions based in the Diaspora to debate in the Azores several topics, namely the situation of media in the Diaspora communities, their relation and coordination with the Region, the impact of new platforms and technologies, and the current and future challenges.

The organisation of this event was announced by the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, Rodrigo Oliveira, during the discussion of the proposal for Plan and Budget, which also included the presentation of the matters concerning the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs.

For the regional private media, the Regional Government will maintain in 2016 the allocation of 580 thousand Euros for support under PROMEDIA.

It is a very comprehensive programme that meets the specificities of private media in the archipelago, namely their scope, size and geographical dispersion.
In 2016, the Region will host the General Assembly of the World Council of Houses of the Azores, which, according to Rodrigo Oliveira, will "enhance the visibility of the work and relevance of these institutions that have been, from the very beginning, a priority for the Government of the Azores."

According to the Regional Under Secretary, "convergence, support and respect" are "the main pillars of the relation of the XI Government with the Houses of the Azores as well as with dozens of organisations in the Azorean Diaspora that play an important role - either in the social area or in teaching of Portuguese language and culture - and, therefore, have a stronger partnership with the Region."

Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that "these are our traditions, our culture and our devotions. They represent the uniqueness and the way of living we call 'Azoreanity,' which distinguishes our People and assert the importance of the Azores and their Diaspora in the world, regardless of the geographical distance or the difference between generations.

Next year, the Regional Government will pay special attention to Folk Dance Groups of the Diaspora, through the creation of a website featuring an Itinerary specifically dedicated to this Azorean tradition. This initiative aims to make an inventory of these cultural manifestations, recover their history, disseminate related events and promote, through culture, a close relation between the Azores and emigrant communities.

The same attention will be given to the philharmonic bands in the communities, especially those based in the United States and Canada, with the creation of an Itinerary and organisation of meetings between the Conductors of Philharmonic Bands from the Diaspora and the Azores.
 
In 2016, the Autonomous Region of the Azores will be honoured at Porto Alegre Fair Port by unanimous decision of Rio Grande Book Chamber. This distinction is the result of the joint work with respective authorities.

With six decades of existence, this is the oldest event of its kind held in Brazil. It is considered the largest outdoor fair in South America, with an estimated audience of one million and a half visitors.

In the Azores, the area of youth remains a priority for the Regional Government.

Under the programmes managed by the Regional Directorate for Youth, the proposed Plan for 2016 provides an allocation over 2.6 million Euros.
These funds are directed to interventions specifically dedicated to support youth associations, youth mobility, youth creativity and activities designed for young people.

In addition to supporting the activity plans developed by youth associations, the Regional Government will promote the Regional Meeting of Azorean Youth Associations, which brings together leaders and representatives of regional youth associations. The event is scheduled for April 2016.