The Regional Director for Youth highlighted in Horta that young Azoreans "want to participate in political decisions," considering that the Youth Parliament "confirms this interest."

Lúcio Rodrigues spoke at the opening of the session for secondary school students held under the Youth Parliament initiative taking place at the Legislative Assembly. This year's edition includes the participation of students from all islands of the Azores. 

“We are proud to reach the 25th edition of this initiative and to see what goes on inside our schools as well as how the Youth Parliament, and other extracurricular activities, are organised by teachers,” said the Regional Director.

Regarding the theme under discussion at this session - "Domestic and Dating Violence: how to ensure respect and equality?" - Lúcio Rodrigues noted that it is “a scourge that should concern us all,” but he also stressed “young people's concern with this issue since it was their decision to discuss it at the Youth Parliament.”

"When the rest of society points the finger at young people and when they point out the alarming figures released by studies on domestic and dating violence, it is important to emphasise that it was young people themselves who chose to address this topic and discuss possible solutions to be implemented," said Lúcio Rodrigues.

During Monday's session with basic education students, also dedicated to the same theme, a document was approved to be presented by young Azoreans at the National Session of the Youth Parliament, which will be held at the National Assembly on May 4 and 5.

The Azores will be represented at the basic education session of the National Assembly by young "parliament members" from Vitorino Nemésio, Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade, Domingos Rebelo and Mouzinho da Silveira schools. In this context, Gonçalo Matos, a student at Vitorino Nemésio Secondary School on Terceira Island, was chosen as spokesman for the regional delegation.

Additionally, young people chose the theme "Portuguese Education System" for discussion in the next year's edition of the Youth Parliament.

Simultaneously, the session of the Euroschool contest also took place under the theme "European Values - they are yours too." Students Carolina Porto and Eva Rodrigues, from Castanheiro School in Ponta Delgada, are the winners of this year's edition.

They will represent the Azores at the National Session in May, with the possibility of representing the Region at the European Session to be held at the European Parliament.