The Regional Director for Youth praised in Ponta Delgada the entrepreneurial attitude of André Leonardo, considering that "it has been inspiring" for the itinerary "Make the Azores Happen," which the Government is promoting in the archipelago.

Speaking Wednesday at the launch of the book "Faz Acontecer" (Make it Happen) by this young entrepreneur, Pilar Damião conveyed her belief that it is possible to "create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Azores" in the medium and long-term with the programme "Entrepreneurial Education: The Path to Success."

The Regional Director highlighted the enthusiasm of young people when they heard the adventurous entrepreneur at the motivational sessions that are taking place in regional schools, emphasising that, as André Leonardo states in his book, being entrepreneur is not synonymous with being an entrepreneur."

According to Pilar Damião, being entrepreneurial "is to have a fearless attitude and the ability to make things happens," regardless of the area of action.

"We can be entrepreneurs in any sector, namely in agriculture, science, volunteering and social intervention," the government official said, adding that "the most important is to believe, to have willpower, sense of responsibility and persistence but, above all, is to feel accomplished.

"Dream, attitude, resilience, inspiration and persistence, boosted by a strong sense of adventure, were the ingredients that fuelled the odyssey of this young Azorean from Angra do Heroísmo," said Pilar Damião.

The book "Faz Acontecer" (Make it Happen), the first by André Leonardo, tells the stories he lived and collected over 126 thousand kilometres, where the word entrepreneurship takes on a new meaning and reveals itself as life style and attitude that is not subject to the time and place we live in.

This year, André Leonardo participates as speaker in the itinerary "Make the Azores Happen," which is held under the fifth edition of the programme "Entrepreneurial Education: The Path to Success"; the latter is an initiative of the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorates for Youth and Education, in collaboration with the Society for the Business Development of the Azores (SDEA).