The Azores, a Gateway to Europe: A Colloquium
April 11, 2011- North Dartmouth, MA.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives, and the Department of Political Science announce a colloquium, “The Azores, A Gateway to Europe.”

This colloquium will explore the political, economic, and social issues facing the Autonomous Region of Azores, a Portuguese archipelago located in the North Atlantic. The presenters—two professors in the area of political science, international relations and political philosophy at the University of the Azores and the president of the Azorean Regional Forum of the European Youth Parliament—will focus on the role the Azores has played from the second world war until today as a midpoint between the United States and Europe. The presenters will also examine the role of universal education and the contributions the University of the Azores has had in the social and economic development of the archipelago. Moreover, the economy of the Azores and the potential for growth will be discussed. Finally, the presenters will focus on the status of the Azores as an ultra-peripheral region of the European Union, particularly in light of the current global economic crisis.

Prof. Luís Andrade, Professor of Political Science and International Relations will speak about “The Azores in the context of transatlantic relations,” at 1 p.m. Carlos Amaral, Professor of Political Philosophy and European Studies, will talk about “The Autonomous Region of the Azores in the context of the European Union,” at 2 p.m. Steven Barbosa, President of the Azorean Regional Forum of the European Youth Parliament, will present “The Azores in the 21st Century,” at 2:50 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend any or all of the lectures.

The colloquium is co-sponsored by the Regional Directorship for the Communities and the Regional Directorship for Youth.