The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Ponta Delgada that young people, Europe and the future are the key words "give life" to the European Citizenship programme.
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke at the presentation of the activities developed for 2019 under the "European Citizenship - Europe for Azoreans" programme, which was also attended by the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs, Berto Messias. On the occasion, the government official stressed that the aim is to "mobilise young people for a sense of belonging to a common history, values and a common European future that we must build."
 
"It is very important for you to be here to think about the future, to think about Europe, to think about the role that you will play this century and how you can participate," said the Regional Director, who addressed participants at the opening of the colloquium on "Education for European Citizenship."
 
This initiative is promoted by the Government of the Azores in partnership with the Jacques Delors European Information Centre. It is primarily directed to educational agents and aims to contribute to their knowledge on European affairs.
 
According to Rui Bettencourt, educational agents "establish a link between what is happening, the reality, and what it is necessary for young people to realise what is happening."
 
According to the Secretary for External Relations, "it really becomes fundamental to be aware that this year is a very special year, when choices will be made and different paths may be traced." This programme was also created by the Government of the Azores "bearing this is mind."
 
As for the activities planned for this year, Rui Bettencourt highlighted the Europe Day celebrations on the island of Santa Maria on May 9 that will include a tribute to European citizens from Santa Maria with the collaboration of photographer Pepe Brix. Additionally, the date will be celebrated with several activities and workshops for students as well as with the "Europe Street" initiative to be held in all municipalities of the Region.
 
The Regional Secretary also announced the opening of the exhibition entitled "Jean Monnet - one of the architects of the European Union" to take place on Faial on March 29 and the conference on "The role of the European Union in the defence of biodiversity and the environment" to be held on São Jorge on April 26, and the celebrations of the European Day of Music on Graciosa and the European Day of Languages on Terceira.
 
On the other hand, he highlighted the promotion of a film cycle featuring the screening of short films on European themes under the European Commission's #EUandMe project and the provision of several educational resources by the Regional Government to the schools concerned.
 
Rui Bettencourt also recalled that multimedia and literary contests on the theme "Youth, Europe and the Future" are under way as well as the continuation of the "I am EU" project; the latter has 125 planned sessions for this year that will be directed to 4th form students from all regional schools.