The regional director for Youth said in Horta on Tuesday that living the Republic, whose 100th anniversary is being celebrated in Portugal this year, is also, “participate and intervene in society.”

This statement was made by Bruno Pacheco at the opening session of the Regional Youth Parliament addressed at secondary school students, which took place at the venue of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores on Tuesday, being dedicated to centennial of the Portuguese Republic.

According to him, it is interesting to note that, year after year, the Azores have the highest rate of participation per capita with regard to this initiative promoted by the Assembly of the Republic, which is not only addressed at secondary school students, but also  at basic education students.

This is an important fact that should be regarded as a source of pride for all Azoreans, stated Bruno Pacheco.

The Regional director also announced the launch of a programme to promote youth participation in society, titled as “Youth Forum - 100% Citizen” (Fórum Jovem – 100% Citizen).

The initiative, to be presented at the Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School in Angra do Heroísmo on Wednesday, will cover all Azorean villages during a three-year period.

Encouraging the participation of youngsters and their ability to intervene, bringing policy-makers to all villagers and confronting them with the needs and ambitions of youngsters are the main goals of this forum.

Bruno Pacheco also added that this initiative is not only based on a travelling component, but also on an electronic component, which allows the participation of youngsters through the forum website.

The regional session of the Youth of Today that was held in Horta on Tuesday was attended by over four dozen students representing the Flores, Vila Franca do Campo, Graciosa, Velas and São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary Schools; the Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education School; the Praia da Vitória and São Jorge Vocation Training Schools and the Antero de Quental, Manuel de Arriaga, Domingos Rebelo, Vitorino Nemésio, Ribeira Grande and Lagoa Secondary Schools.

6 Azorean youngsters, representing three schools, will attend the national session of the Youth Parliament addressed at secondary school students to take place at the Assembly of the Republic on April 26 and 27.

Simultaneously to this initiative, the he regional phase of the Euroescola project took place in Horta on Tuesday, counting upon the participation 12 students representing from four schools.

The members of parliament elected by their schools should draw up an argument to defend measures on the theme “The Fight Against Poverty and Social Exclusion,” which will be evaluated by an independent jury with expertise on that subject.