The Regional Director for Social Solidarity emphasised the importance of the role played by social workers in the Azores and considered that, "more than ever," these professionals are called upon “to rescue the citizenship of people who need their help in their lives."

"Promoting citizenship is to acknowledge the value of individuals, respect the equality of human beings, recognise the right of individuals to govern their lives and take their own decisions," stated Natércia Gaspar. The government official spoke at the opening session of the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Social Workers' Association on Wednesday. The event was promoted by regional section of the Social Workers' Association (APSS) in Ponta Delgada.

The Regional Director stressed that "the challenge for social workers is enormous," as "we live in a times of unprecedented financial economic, political and social crisis."

"The National Government has imposed an austerity programme that mainly strikes on social policies and social protection mechanisms and, as a response, it only reinforces mere welfare measures, which will result in the dramatic worsening of social inequalities and weakening of social cohesion," stated the government official.

According to Natércia Gaspar, social workers are "indispensable partners in defining and implementing policies that promote the autonomy of citizens and not the maintenance of dependency relations." The Regional Director added that the Regional Government wants that social workers "feel cooperative in the construction of a more effective social service that is closer to citizens, providing a more efficient response in the combat to social inequalities."

"The Social Workers' Association plays an important in the acknowledgement and legitimation of social workers," Natércia Gaspar emphasised, considering this celebration as "a moment to pay tribute to all social workers, who have contributed to the promotion of the Region's social development over the last 35 years."