The Regional Director for Communities stated in Ponta Delgada that the full integration of immigrants into the Azorean society "is the Regional Government's priority," not only for "community involvement," but also for the cultural richness that adds "value to our way of being and living."
 
Paulo Teves spoke at the opening of the Portuguese Language Course for Immigrants, highlighting the participation of immigrants in this training course, who "were not born in the Azores, but chose this land as their new home." He added that the knowledge of Portuguese language, in addition to facilitating communication, is also "an essential tool for a stable situation in term of residence in the national territory."
 
The Portuguese Language courses are targeted to foreign citizens residing in the archipelago. They are promoted by the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorates for Communities and Education.
 
By completing the Portuguese Language course, immigrants will be awarded a language proficiency level A2 certificate. It will allow them to comply with the requirements for acquisition of nationality, permanent residence or the authorisation for long-term residence in regard to the assessment exams of Portuguese Language.
 
"With this issue, which is the 11th course held since 2013 in partnership with several Azorean organisations on several islands, we have already surpassed two hundred participants from 30 countries," said the Regional Director. He highlighted the work undertaken by several institutions, namely the Migrant Support Office and the Azores Immigrant Association (AIPA).
 
"They have been key partners of the Government in the response to our immigrants in several areas. With our support, they have sought to promote integration and interculturalism, encouraging civic participation encouraged civic participation in society that welcomed them, "said Paul Teves.
 
The course which began now, organised by Cresaçor Migrant Support Office, involves 20 students from eight countries, namely Albania, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, China, USA and Sweden.
 
In the school year 2015/2016, AIPA organised a total of three courses on the island of Terceira. The same courses also took place on the islands of São Miguel and Pico and were developed by Cresaçor - Community Centre for Immigrant Support and the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of São Roque do Pico, respectively. The initiative involved the participation of more than fifty immigrants from 16 countries.