The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations defended on Corvo that younger institutions of the Diaspora "should be cherished and encouraged," stressed that the future of relations between the Region and the emigrant communities should depend on them.
 
"Their integration into larger networks to learn from the experience and the example of older institutions and the enthusiasm they bring to their members are largely dependent on the future of the Region's relation with Communities," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official spoke Friday at the end of the 19th General Assembly of the World Council of Houses of the Azores.
 
Speaking at Corvo Town Hall, the Regional Under Secretary stressed the "dynamics and proactivity of the House of the Azores of Bermuda, established almost two years ago; it has, among its most diverse activities, various members who know the meaning of rolling up sleeves and serving their communities."
 
"The Houses of the Azores as well as all associations, clubs, brotherhoods, i.e., all Azorean associations in the Diaspora are based on the availability and commitment of their leaders and members, who often sacrifice their personal lives for their love to the Azores and their community," said the government official.
 
According to Rodrigo Oliveira, "this happens in the case of institutions with many years of existence as well as in the case of those with the mission to create, from the ground, a new House of the Azores."
 
"During these four years, the Government of the Azores worked closely with all Houses of the Azores, supporting the geographical extension of their scope. It is with great satisfaction that it saw the expansion of its network of relations and partnerships to the New House of the Azores, in Bermuda, and to a House of the Azores, established in Baía in the 1980s, which has decided to sign its protocol and strengthen the relation with the Azores."
 
The Regional Under Secretary also stressed that the organisation of the closing session on Corvo should be regarded as "a tribute of the Houses of the Azores to history and courage of Corvo as well as recognition of the unique character of the Azorean spirit."
 
"Here, on Corvo, similar to what happens on all the 10th islands of the Azores, it takes 'extraordinary proportions,' Rodrigo Oliveira stated, quoting Raul Brandão's text on the smallest island of the Azores on this work "As Ilhas Desconhecidas" (The Unknown Islands).
 
The works of the CMCA General Assembly took place Friday and were divided between Lajes das Flores and Corvo, including lectures on the reality and challenges of both islands by the mayors of Lajes, Luís Maciel, Santa Cruz, José Mendes, and Corvo, José Silva. Moreover, the event also features a lecture on the 40 years of Autonomy that was delivered by Francisco Coelho, member of the Regional Parliament and former president of the Legislative Assembly.
 
Also under the programme of CMCA, the village of Lajes das Flores hosts the delivery ceremony of the medals of merit, while on Sunday the representatives of the Houses of the Azores take part in the opening of the exhibition titled "Way of the Cross - Azores 2016" on Terceira Island, an initiative supported by the Regional Directorate for Communities that featured artists of the Azorean Diaspora.