The Regional Director for Communities highlighted on Friday in Indianapolis, USA, the role played by the Azorean Government and the institutions representing the communities in the maintenance and promotion of Azorean cultural legacy in the diaspora.

Paulo Teves spoke during the presentation of the paper "The maintenance of relations in the Diaspora - the Azores case" at the Conference Exploring the Portuguese Diaspora in Comparative and Interdisciplinary Perspectives: An International Conference, hosted by Brock University (Canada), University of Lisbon (Portugal) as well as by UMass Amherst University and Anderson University (USA). The government official mentioned the Regional Government's responsibility in pursuing and supporting "policies and projects that dignify and acknowledge Azorean communities scattered throughout the world."

"For such, the Government has greatly contributed to bringing the Region's self-government bodies closer to communities, namely the Houses of the Azores and other organisations that develop projects aimed at the preservation and dissemination of the rich cultural heritage we share," stated Paulo Teves. The Regional Director defended a "proactive dialogue between the Azores, communities and intercommunities as a way to promote Portuguese Language and to preserve and disseminate Azorean cultural identity.

During his speech delivered at the conference, Paulo Teves stressed that "associations must be a privileged means among Azoreans and Azorean descendants as well as among the organisations working in the host societies.

The government official reiterated the Government's commitment to "policies that value communities and bring prestige to the Region."

Paulo Teves also considered the importance of "bringing Azorean youngsters of Azorean descent to their roots" as a priority goal. "We believe that with a joint and determining commitment taken towards youngsters, our communities will be able to leave a cultural legacy to forthcoming generations," said Paulo Teves.

In this context, the Azorean Government has sought "to promote the effective participation of this human potential" in the Azores and the communities with the organisation of initiatives targeted at Azorean youngsters and of Azorean descent that "strengthen relations between both sides of the Atlantic" in favour of the promotion of the Region and the Azorean people.

Concluding his speech in the conference works, which also included the participation of the Governor of the State of Indiana, the Mayor of Indianapolis and the Ambassador of Portugal in Washington, the Regional Director for Communities also defended that "the continued dialogue with communities, politicians, schools and various entities from different sectors" should be the path to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of the Azorean diaspora.