The Regional Assistant Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs stated in Ponta Delgada that the "Azores need" young people to continue their path of development. The government official spoke at the first public event of the programme - "Prepare your Return Home."

"We have a set of resources available for you so that you can contribute to the development of your land and to the construction of a better future for our Region, while fulfilling their personal and professional aspirations," said Isabel Rodrigues at the opening session that took place at Aula Magna of the University of the Azores.

The initiative was attended by dozens of students, young entrepreneurs as well as by technicians of the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA) and of the Regional Government in the areas of Youth, Support for Investment and Competitiveness, and Employment and Vocational Training.

The programme "Prepare your Return Home" is an initiative of the Government that provides a follow-up strategy aimed at Azorean youth, especial those who are studying at higher education establishing outside their island of residence.

This initiative is primarily intended to ensure the best access to information and support for the submission of applications to several programmes designed to promote the full integration of young graduates into the business sector and labour market after the completion of studies.

Addressing at students, Isabel Rodrigues announced that, under the new programme, "we have organised and will continue to organise a series of live events in which students will be provided with all the information about a wide range of programmes the Government has to help them starting their working life. These events will be held in the Azores as well as in Mainland Portugal, namely in Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto."

This programme has an Internet page containing all the useful information about this initiative. And "because we think it will be extremely for you," added the Regional Secretary, it also provides "moments of interaction with young entrepreneurs who, with courage and boldness, risked, invested and the created their successful business. They are the example that it is worth investing in the Azores and there is room for new activities and new companies."

Isabel Rodrigues stressed that the Regional Government "will openly welcome Azorean youth who have now completed their studies."

"Whatever the times we are living in, we want our youth to return, if this is what they wish, and we are here to help them," assured the Regional Secretary.