The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity presided over the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new multipurpose building of the Child Support Institute - Azores (IAC Azores) in Ponta Delgada, an investment of 2.5 million Euros promoted by the Regional Government that will comprise several areas.
 
"This centre we are now creating falls within the organisation of responses that should be reinforced towards one of the most important and most vulnerable groups - children and youth; their growth conditions have a significant impact on the stability of families and social development," said Andreia Cardoso.
 
The new building, an investment included in the Regional Public Workers Charter, will comprise various areas of the Child Support Institute, namely street entertainment, SOS Children, a game library, a community centre, training and information spaces as well as all the general services provided by the Institute.
 
In his speech, Andreia Cardoso said the work "is primarily based on the organisation of integrated responses in accordance with the global needs of the population, which are aimed at the prevention and mitigation of the effects of social exclusion. It provides a stimulus to the participation of individuals, families and social groups, playing a key role in local and social development as well as in the promotion of citizenship."
 
"The Government of the Azores has many reasons to be proud of the work it has done and is doing in this sector," stressed the Regional Secretary.
 
"Only those who do not live or never lived on our islands can ignore the extraordinary progress achieved in the Azores," Andreia Cardoso said, highlighting the newly created position of the Regional Commissioner for Children and the progress achieved in the identification of potential risk situations.
 
Andreia Cardoso considered the networks of solidarity and mutual aid as "fundamental" tools to combat social exclusion. According to her, the Azorean Government has sought to involved all public health systems, social work, education and employment towards the consolidation of solutions, always in a perspective of prevention and rehabilitation.
 
"It is a very difficult fight, either due to the fragility of this age group or due to the multiplicity of risks. Every day, we identify new dangers and new situations and this affects our actions and the results we want to achieve," the Regional Secretary said, stressing that “these added difficulties should only motivate us."