The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs stated in Vila Franca do Campo that young people are an "important driving force" that is crucial to continue to "path towards the development and progress of the Azores."

Isabel Rodrigues spoke at the opening of the International Youth Day celebrations, which took place on Vinha D'Areia Beach. The event was organised in partnership between the Regional Government and Vila Franca do Campo Town Hall.

For the Regional Secretary, this day serves two essential goals. On the one hand, it celebrates "the energy, the irreverence, the ideas and the creativity of Azorean youth" and, on the other hand, it recalls "the existence of public policies that help the development of young people and the construction of their autonomy, providing them with the necessary tools for their personal and professional fulfilment."

Speaking to dozens of young people attending these celebrations, Isabel Rodrigues passed a message of "renewed hope," ensuring that the Government of the Azores "works on a daily basis to do more and better for Azorean youth."

In this context, the government official pointed out some of the programmes and implemented by the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for Youth, with the aim of supporting young people in the construction of their future and their participation in the community.

These measures include the support to youth associations, "which play a key role in the pursuance of common interests as well as in the promotion of youth participation in the community," said Isabel Rodrigues. Moreover, the government official mentioned the programmes designed to support youth creativity, such as "Põe-te em Cena" (Get into Scene), "LABJOVEM" or the mobility support programmes, namely the “Interjovem” Card. The latter is "an important tool that was substantially improved by the Government of the Azores this year with the decrease of card fees for the age group 13-23 years."

The programme to mark the International Youth Day included beach sports tournaments, concerts and zumba classes, combining entertainment with the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the encouragement of civic participation.