The Regional Director for the Communities highlighted in Ponta Delgada the importance of acquiring language skills in Portuguese for the "promotion of interculturality" in the Azores, stressing that "it facilitates communication in the host society."
 
"This course will allow us to have an in-depth knowledge on the social and cultural reality of our islands as well as to foster the creation of privileged spaces for the dissemination of our identity," said Paulo Teves. The government official spoke Monday at the beginning of the Portuguese Language Course for Immigrants, promoted by the Migrant Support Office of CRESAÇOR - Regional Cooperative for Solidarity Economy. On the occasion, he added that the decision to reside in the Azores "enriches and complements the vast cultural diversity of the Region."
 
"The Regional Government, in collaboration with several entities, has developed a series of initiatives that, in addition to being aimed at the inclusion of foreign citizens residing in the Region, promote their personal and professional recognition as well as equal opportunities. Moreover, they also follow the course of migratory paths, through the public service offices of the Regional Directorate for the Communities," stressed Paulo Teves.
 
For the Regional Director, the organisation of this initiative in the Azores "has contributed to the inclusion and active participation of the immigrant community," and for that reason, the Government has provided several courses on an annual basis.
 
This year, three courses will be held on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira and Pico, involving the 60 participants from 25 countries such as Germany, Belarus, China, France, Italy, Israel, Russia and South Africa.
 
Paulo Teves highlighted the partnership established with several institutions to carry out this initiative, which has already involved 300 participants from 46 countries on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, Faial and Flores, between 2013 and 2018.
 
"After completing the course, trainees will have at their disposal a tool that will allow them to establish a closer relation with the Azorean society, being synonymous with a deeper involvement and a more intense activity," said the Director for the Communities.
 
Regulated by Ordinance no.56/2014, the course is organised by the Regional Directorates for the Communities and Education after working hours and has a duration of 150 hours. The successful approval of the course allows immigrants to comply with the requirements for the acquisition of nationality, permanent residence or the authorisation for long-term residence regarding the assessment Portuguese Language tests.