The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity met today in Angra do Heroísmo with the Support Network for Citizens in Social Exclusion, the Integrated Support for Women of Terceira Island and the Network of the Integrated Support Resource Centre for Youth at Risk of Terceira Island. The meeting was part of the consultation process of partners for the definition of the Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion.
 
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Andreia Cardoso stressed that she intends to conclude the hearing process by the end of January. She added that these meetings aim to "define the regional strategy with all those who actively participate and play an important role in defining this strategy."
 
The partners identified dependencies, responses in mental health and youth employment as the most pressing issues. In this regard, Andreia Cardoso assured that the Azorean Governments these conclusions, highlighting the "importance of investing in responses that meet the new needs of young people."
 
Today's meeting was the third of its kind; the previous two were held on São Miguel.
 
Andreia Cardoso stressed that the consultation process covers all islands and conveyed her expectations to have a document ready by the first half of 2017 that can be submitted to partners for discussion.