The Municipality of Funchal will participate in a national project called “Integrar Valoriza,” which aims to support the integration of foreigners within local societies, with one of its priorities being the creation and promotion of Portuguese courses to help people learn their new host language.
Talking to media outlets, the current Mayor of Funchal, Miguel Silva Gouveia, said that the “the municipality submitted the application for this project because it believes that it is through communication that we can really make a difference, and create a better inclusion framework for everyone.”
According to the mayor of the Confiança coalition (PS/BE/PDR/ Nós, Citizens!), the City Council has already formalised its intention to sign a protocol with the High Commission for Migration, with the aim of bringing together the six municipalities which will take part in the pilot “Integrar Valoriza” project.
The participating municipalities are obliged to undertake, within a period of six months, at least one of the following social responses: a Local Support Centre for the Integration of Migrants; a Municipal Plan for the Integration of Migrants; a Local Housing Strategy; or offering Portuguese courses as a Host Language.
“As such,” confirmed the Mayor of Funchal, “we are committed to offering Portuguese courses, as a way to allow those foreigners living in Funchal the ability to speak and understand our language.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
