The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs restated today the Government's commitment to consider the investment in the area of childhood on all islands as "strategic for the future of the Region."

Isabel Rodrigues spoke on behalf of the President of the Government at the opening of the "Wall of Children's Rights" at "Portas do Mar," an initiative promoted by the Child Support Institute of the Azores to mark World Children's Day.

The Regional Secretary stressed that the Azores "needs the participation of their youngsters and interventional citizens, who will contribute to their development. But in order to get there, we must be aware that this fight for children's rights is not a fight of some; it is the fight of citizens."

"On the day when the mural was opened, which brings added value to our city as it will become the bearer of a truly universal message," Isabel Rodrigues urged all citizens to "defend children's rights as their own cause, because this is the responsibility of every citizen."

For Isabel Rodrigues, the commitment of the Government to this issue is quite clear.
"The different areas of the Government's intervention involve the active participation of the Commissions for the Protection of Children and Youth. We aim to provide a response with a geographical coverage that encompasses the entire archipelago. Nevertheless, we are aware that we still have a long way to go," said the government official.

Isabel Rodrigues stressed that the Region "has been following a path of which it can be proud." In this regard, the government official pointed out that the Azores are at a level "where different social actors and numerous institutions in the areas of health, social welfare, education, join efforts to provide equal opportunities conditions and ensure the well-being of citizens. They are responsible for providing the mechanisms for the rehabilitation and recovery of those children to whom we were not able reach and whose rights have been violated."

The Government of the Azores has invested and worked, from the very beginning, to "provide good living conditions to families and children by increasing social responses in terms of kindergartens and Free Time Occupation Centres (ATL), and implementing innovative responses, such as youth inclusion and development centres and temporary shelters. The response capacity increased from 16 to 38 shelter institutions with suitable size," said Isabel Rodrigues.
 
According to the Regional Secretary, the path to follow now requires "an important reflection from each one of us about the effective rights of children" and the exercise of these rights in the Region.