Through the reinforcement of the networks that assure the access to the new information technologies, the digital literacy of the Azorean population is one of the main priorities of the Azorean Government concerning this area.

This belief was reassured by the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures during the visit to the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) space at the Graciosa Computer Club this morning, on the occasion of the statutory visit to that Island.

“This computer centre represents another step in this pyramid which, by itself, also corresponds to the information society network that is being reinforced in the Azores with a significant support,” underlined José Contente. 

Regarding the Island of Graciosa, the Regional Government has invested more than 250 thousand Euros in the five IT spaces on the Island, comprising centres and posts.

For the Regional Secretary, the growing investment in the proliferation of these spaces is a clear sign of the Government’s intentions to improve the conditions, the access and the number of equipments made available to the users.

The Graciosa Computer Club, visited by the Secretary, receives a daily average of 20 users and provides continuous training and access after working hours.

According to José Contente, “this is the way how we are able to create the Regional Scientific and Technological System, thus contributing to the establishment of an information and knowledge society, which in turn represents a new upgrade in the Regional economy,” adding that a more informed society, with more experience in the use of IT, will easily follow the path of global development.

The Regional Secretary regards these IT spaces as a means to create “a society better prepared to face the new challenges and to take advantage of the new opportunities.”

Addressing the users of that computer centre on Graciosa, José Contente expressed his belief that the Regional Government will reinforce the information society networks in the Azores, because, as he emphasised, “it is with this spirit that we will continue to promote the maintenance and expansion of all Azorean computer centres, so that more people may have access to them; therefore, creating a digitally literate society.”