Pedro Nascimento Cabral argued that knowledge, research, and the qualification of new generations are fundamental to building the future of the Azores. He challenged young people to discover science as a space for opportunities and personal and professional fulfillment, stating: “We want our young people to realize that they can be scientists, researchers, engineers, technicians, and highly qualified professionals. That they discover that in the Azores too, there is knowledge, research, and talent capable of contributing to the great challenges of our time, and that they feel, above all, that knowledge is also a way to build a future in the Azores”.
The address took place at the opening session of MacaroNight Azores 2026, held at the Pavilhão do Mar in Ponta Delgada, as part of the European Researchers' Night. This initiative aims to bring science closer to society through interactive and informal activities.
Under the theme “Science is Everywhere”, this year's edition featured over a hundred researchers and more than 30 activities. Pedro Nascimento Cabral highlighted that science is present in the surrounding sea, in biodiversity, health, food, energy, daily technologies, understanding the territory, facing climate change, and building more sustainable cities for the future.
The mayor emphasized that bringing researchers closer to citizens increases public understanding of science and values those who produce knowledge. He stressed that science begins with curiosity and questions, being essential for forming future generations of Azorean scientists.
Pedro Nascimento Cabral reaffirmed the Municipal Chamber's intention to position Ponta Delgada as a municipality linked to knowledge and innovation. “A modern city is not built solely with infrastructure. It is also built with qualified people, with knowledge, with the capacity to innovate, and with institutions that work together,” he maintained.
The President of the Chamber thanked researchers, professors, technicians, students, and institutions for their scientific work in the Azores, recognizing its direct impact on society and the Region's capacity to respond to future challenges. He also congratulated the Regional Government of the Azores, the Azores Science Centers, the research centers of the University of the Azores, and the partner institutions.
Special greetings were extended to schools and teachers for their role in stimulating children's and young people's curiosity and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Pedro Nascimento Cabral concluded that the initiative celebrates a future that is more sustainable, innovative, qualified, and closer to people.
MacaroNight Azores 2026 included representatives from higher education, research, and innovation. The opening session featured an address by the Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima. The European Researchers' Night, held since 2005, aims to bring scientists and citizens closer, with a focus on younger generations. In the Azores, the initiative has been marked since 2010.
