The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture stated today that the Government of the Azores is committed to creating training and development opportunities for Azorean youngsters. 
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the Youth Council of the Azores, Luiz Fagundes Duarte stressed that the Government "has been developing and implementing a series of projects focused on these aspects."

"We want that our youngsters become aware of the world where they live and whose horizon is not limited to the reality of their island. Therefore, it is important to involve youngsters in solidarity or cultural projects that may result from the creative spirit of youth" said the Regional Secretary.

In this task, Luiz Fagundes Duarte highlighted the role played by the Regional Directorate for Youth. This entity has been "creating opportunities for every youngster and for every island" with the resources at their disposal.

The Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture stressed the "good pace" of the Free Time Occupation Programme, whose placement phase is still ongoing. The programme has registered the membership of over 2,200 youngsters, who should be "integrated in quality and demanding projects."

"With these projects, our youngsters must be encouraged to invest in quality, which is also way of implementing youth policies, which is a policy based on rigour and accountability," said Luiz Fagundes Duarte.