The European Youth Capital seeks to combine global and local dimensions, towards the process of social transformation, under the theme “Local Youth”. It is a year of sharing experiences between local and international level, a year of enhanced youth participation and inclusion in the society to foster global citizenship.

The event that was presented by João Paulo Sousa, was attended by hundreds of young people who vibrated to the sound of the HMB and with the presence of Lourenço Ortigão, ambassadors of Cascais 2018. Also participated in this great celebration the Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Conservatory of Music of Cascais.

The ceremony began with the words of the Commissioner of the European Youth Capital, Catarina Marques Vieira, who assured that 2018 "will above all be an opportunity and the stage of all youth activities for young people in the sense of living Cascais."

"Cascais is already a major European Youth Capital," said Secretary of State for Youth and Sport João Paulo Rebelo, adding that "Cascais is an example of good practices in youth policies, participation, and citizenship that involve more and more the citizen in the management of the public thing ". The governor added that "Cascais in 2018 will help to solidify the image that Portugal has to be a friendly country of Youth", guaranteeing the support of the Government in the different activities that will be carried out within the framework of the European Capital of Youth.

There were many personalities who were present on this day, to highlight, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who left a message of hope and motivation for all who were present, saying that, "Cascais begins today European Youth Capital. Cascais relies on me for these restless, unforgettable months, welcoming those who arrive, on the streets where I live and travel every day, or on the beaches where I swim like today, in winter or summer. Or in meetings in schools, in the discovery of history, heritage, art, nature, gastronomy and socializing. From everything that gives youth to youth and convert the experience of marveling at Portugal through Cascais of an unappealing memory. Here I am. Here we are all, for this to happen so that no one misses the opportunity to discover a great land in the best country in Europe and the world. Viva Cascais! Long live the European Union, live Portugal. "

The mayor of Cascais, Carlos Carreiras, reinforced the promise of a year of 2018 always growing for the young people of Cascais and all the European youth affirming "I can only be today very satisfied and with great pride in the projects that we have been developing with young people and who make Cascais a great European Youth Capital ".

The ceremony ended with our ambassadors HMB leaving all present at the Estoril Congress Center to the point when they sang the official anthem of Cascais 2018 "Isto é Cascais" accompanied by about 200 elementary school students in our county.

About the motto Glocal Youth we leave you the challenge of being part of this great celebration of youth that promises to make Cascais the European epicenter of youth through the hundreds of initiatives that are programmed to think of you!

Discover more about Cascais 2018 here: http://cascais2018.eu/en .

The full programme of Cascais 2018 can be found here.