The Roadmap for Equality, which is to start in April, marks the beginning of the initiative "Antes de me Discriminares, Conhece-me!" (Before you Discriminate me, Know me!), a project consisting of thirty awareness-raising actions that will directly cover 1,000 people across the archipelago.

The project aims to coordinate social intervention and the fight against discrimination through art with a series of events and activities that will enhance the knowledge of youngsters as well as of those who play a key role in their education and social inclusion.

In this context, a partnership has been established between the Regional Directorates for Youth and Social Solidarity and the Centre for the Information, Promotion and Monitoring of Equality Policies - "Novo Dia" for the organisation of a campaign with wide dissemination and visibility among the Azorean youngsters.

The presentation session took place today in Ponta Delgada and was attended by the Regional Director for Social Solidarity, Natércia Gaspar, and Youth, Pilar Damião. On the occasion, the government officials pointed out the coordination between associations, public and private associations and the public in general in the fight against discrimination.

"This is our duty as citizens who fight for freedom, equality and solidarity in a democracy. I am sure this will be another solution to combat visible and invisible forms of discrimination and social exclusion. In my view, this is the only and truly human solution to get out of it," said Pilar Damião.

In turn, Natércia Gaspar stressed the need to raise the awareness for current and forthcoming generation for the importance of recognising, valuing and welcoming plural identities and reject all forms of prejudice and disregard for human rights.

"It is essential to take into consideration the relevance of local interventions, the existence of public awareness and mobilisation of the civil society and, above all, the training of multiplier agents," stated the government official.

“Antes de me Discriminares, Conhece-me!” project runs from April to December. This initiative comprises several phases that will include the following activities: the roadmap for equality; theatre workshops; regional artistic creation competition on the theme of equality; an exhibition of the works selected under this competition and the creation of the regional campaign "Não à discriminação" (Say no to discrimination" to be implemented in 2015.