What projects is FLAD currently developing in the Azores?
The Azores have been a priority for FLAD from the very beginning, as we are well aware of FLAD's connection to the Azores. That is why we seek in all our areas of activity - science, education, culture and transatlantic relations - to always have special projects that involve and concern the Azores. In the field of science, we have the FLAD Science Award for scientific research on the Atlantic, which is important to the Azores. FLAD has also participated in the memorandum of understanding for the establishment of an innovation network in the Azores, in association with the Government of the Azores, the Foundation for Science and Technology, the University of the Azores and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Our will is to contribute to economic and scientific development in priority areas such as ocean sustainability, space and climate change. We have also established a protocol for the creation of three scientific chairs at the University of the Azores, bringing together the Government of the Azores, the Foundation for Science and Technology and the University of the Azores. This protocol provides for the hiring of professors for the University of the Azores, in a spirit of collaboration and liaison with the United States of America. Also in the field of science, I would like to mention our participation and financial contribution to support the Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations (RAEGE), which is based in Santa Maria. Together with the Government of the Azores, we have contributed to the strengthening and empowerment of human resources. For example, in the field of culture, and as FLAD celebrates 35 years this year, we had planned a series of initiatives, but the pandemic forced us to rethink our calendar. So, it will not be in 2020, but in 2021 that we will bring to Archipelago - Contemporary Arts Centre - a FLAD art collection for a major exhibition, the opening of which is planned for March 4, 2021. We are also working to bring to the Azores an independent American film cycle - which we hope will be possible on the island of Terceira - also in the spring of 2021. On the other hand, we always try to support several initiatives developed in the Azores and we always pay special attention and have particular care in supporting initiatives that are to be developed in the Azores.

To what extent has the Covid-19 pandemic affected FLAD's activity this year?
It affected a series of initiatives planned to celebrate FLAD's 35th anniversary and that we had to cancel, because they were initiatives that brought people together. Furthermore, FLAD's essential role, as we understand it, is to be a bridge between Portugal and the United States of America, facilitating the connection between people and institutions. Therefore, much of what we do in supporting the relocation of Portuguese people to the United States and Americans to Portugal at this time was more difficult to do. For this reason, FLAD decided, in view of its social responsibility, to direct part of its activity to social support, for example, through an important donation to Banco Alimentar contra a Fome and by allocating a significant part to the food banks in the Azores. But we also support scientific research initiatives linked to Covid-19. Among these measures is the support to the biobank of the Institute of Molecular Medicine, but also the support we gave to CEiiA (Centre for Engineering and Product Development) for the manufacture of ventilators as well as of visors for individual protection, which were distributed in retirement homes, hospitals, fire departments and the police. As for one of the ventilators FLAD will acquire, our intention is for it to be donated to the Azores, to the hospital where it is most needed, in a decision that will be up to the Azores authorities. We have also made a contribution to bringing together a number of entities in the creation of test kits for Covid-19 screening. There was thus a redirection of our activity to try to help and participate in this exceptional moment that the country and the whole world lives.

Açoriano Oriental will develop a monthly digital newsletter, with the support of FLAD, to promote the Azores in the United States. How important to FLAD is the association to this project?
We want to bring the Portuguese-American community closer to its Portuguese and Azorean roots by providing information about the Azores in English, because many members of that community no longer speak Portuguese. This is essential for us, as we are also strengthening a very important partnership with the media in the Azores.