The Regional Director for the Communities stated that the efforts towards the promotion of Portuguese language in California by the Luso American Education Foundation among the diaspora communities is "essential."
 
"After more than half a century of activity towards the promotion of Portuguese language and culture in this State by bringing together community schools, regular schools and universities, we believe this mission is not just limited to learning," emphasised Paulo Teves. In this context, he stressed the importance of numerous cultural activities in the community, "especially among younger generations."
 
The Regional Director spoke Sunday at the prize-delivery ceremony held under the 43rd Annual Conference of the Luso American Education Foundation at the premises of San Pablo Holy Spirit Brotherhood. On the occasion, he emphasised the importance of "organising these initiatives not only in the academic world, but also in a community environment as it contributes to the diversification of programmes and widens their scope."
 
"The tributes paid in this edition, namely to two young Azorean descendants, Bruna Ferreira and David Garcia, evidence that those who were already born in this country can reconcile their professional responsibilities, the learning of the Portuguese language with the desire to honour the land of origin of their parents and to actively participate in the preservation of our identity," said the government official.
 
Paulo Teves also defended the importance of universities, especially those based in Portuguese communities, "to monitor their dynamics and to establish partnerships, thus seizing their potential in the maintenance of Portuguese language and also as a complement to the academic offer."
 
This year's edition focused on the theme "Transmarginalities: Global Portuguese" and took place at the University of California - Berkeley. The Regional Directorate for the Communities was one of the institutions honoured for the support granted several years ago not only for the organisation of this conference, but also for the various projects developed in the State of California with several educational establishments and the exchanges of students who have visited the archipelago.
 
On the occasion, the Regional Director stated that the partnerships with several diaspora organisations have enabled them to achieve the goals towards "an ever greater participation of the community in the defence and promotion of the Portuguese language." In this regard, he considered that "the more Portuguese speakers there are in California and in our diaspora, in general, the greater the recognition of our community."
 
"It is essential to maintain a permanent dialogue between institutions in order to optimise the best of each one, always bearing in mind that all institutions complement each other and can add value to the numerous initiatives thy develop," said the government official.
 
Founded in 1963 by a group of citizens of Portuguese origin, the Luso American Education Foundation, a non-profit institution, has as its main mission the preservation, promotion and dissemination of the Portuguese language and culture in California. It has held an annual conference since 1975 with the aim of bringing together organisations, teachers and students enrolled in various Portuguese learning levels in that State as well as Portuguese researchers and writers.
 
For several decades, this institution has awarded scholarships for the training of Portuguese teachers and for students of Portuguese decent in the United States of America. In recent years, it has organised a holiday camp for young people from the Portuguese community with the aim of supporting their entry into higher education.