Portugal and the Humanitarian Refuge
One of the most frequently asked questions about international politics is this: how can a state that is not a great (or even an average) power have an impact? There are states that have armed windows and powerful military technology, others with sustainable and developed economies, territories with conceived natural resources, and others that are lucky in terms of their geography. There are countries that even manage to do the full.
The power factors are diverse and multifaceted and, when integrated into a strategy, are the key to a great power.
Furthermore, as we look at the world, what often stands out are wars, conflicts, bloodshed and humanitarian tragedies. There are so many places in this world where the reality is this. We have, in fact, been following one in particular in recent months. Afghanistan is, unfortunately, another one of those sad pages of international society. But the question remains: given this picture of the world, what can a smaller country do?
Against the backdrop of the reality of this tough international, today I want to share with you good news and how Portugal has responded to this question in an exemplary way. We’ve welcomed the young women from the Afghanistan women’s soccer team and we’re also going to admit a group of music students. In the words of The New York Times, these “musicians, teachers and their families are from a music school that promotes [ou melhor, promovia] musical education also in the feminine”. An article that also features the reactions of one of the cello masters, Yo-Yo Ma, among others.
Throughout this process, I confess my pride in the actions of all those who helped, coming from civil society and our Government.
Portugal’s humanitarian action deserves this highlight. We are talking about refugees fleeing a regime that we understand as correcting. And this is the point. Threats why? Because these girls play ball. Because these young people like music. And to whom? These and these young people, those who train and teach them and their families, who, in the eyes of the Taliban and for all their cruelty, must be equally punished. Seeing photos of the joy of these girls on the lawn playing ball melts the most hardened heart. As long as it’s not Taliban, of course.
Helping these young people is a way to make a difference. So that they and their families can make their choices, whatever they are: what they want to study and where they want to live. And, above all, being able to follow your dreams. In an interview with Reuters, one of these 15-year-old girls, named Sarah, recounted her dream: “to play football professionally and, who knows, one day, meet my idol, the star Cristiano Ronaldo.”
By giving refuge to all these people, what Portugal has offered is priceless: the possibility of dreaming without fear.
* The author does not follow the 1990 orthographic agreement