Diaspora is important in relations between Portugal and the USA
“The diaspora is very important in the relations between the United States and Portugal“, said the congressman from Pico, Azores, during the second edition of the series “As Nossas Vozes” by the Portuguese-American Leadership Council (PALCUS) and Instituto Português Além Fronteiras (PBBI).
“Portugal has been a good partner for the United States, but the diaspora is undoubtedly the force that maintains and promotes the improvement of relations“, said the Democrat, who sits in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 13th district.
Whereas “the Portuguese diaspora is fundamental“, the congressman stated that the recognition of this by the authorities in Portugal”still needs to be worked“, despite a positive evolution in recent years.
“There is a need for more communication and more exchange between the various sectors of the community in the diaspora with Portugal“, said the Luso-American Foundation to highlight Development in this role (FLAD).
“We need organizations like PALCUS and others to do a better job in this direction”, he underlined.
The US representative with the family at age 14, said that it has helped to bring the local American states closer, which has helped to be positive politics.
“There is a great evolution of the Portuguese community in political terms, compared twenty or thirty years, affirmed.“, he added.
“more involvement of women in the community“, indicated.”Not only at the political but mainly civic level of organizations“, he said, since “community associations are usually still led by“.
Another problem is the age of current leaders. “We have to make more progress for youth, we have to work more women care directly in the governance of these communities, and so keep these organizations alive.“, considered Cabral.
The congressman highlighted the importance of having more Portuguese-Americans registered to vote and even to run for office.
The initiative “As Nossas Vozes” is a partnership between PALCUS and PBBI to discuss topics that interest the Portuguese-American community in Portuguese.