The conference 'Living Between Two Countries: Rights, Support, and Solutions', which kicked off the Luso-Venezuelan Festival in Ribeira Brava, served as a space for reflection and seeking solutions for the challenges faced by the Luso-Venezuelan community.
Jorge Santos, president of the Ribeira Brava Municipal Chamber, expressed solidarity with Venezuela and highlighted the importance of listening to and guiding newcomers. Nancy Gomes, a doctoral professor, discussed difficulties in obtaining academic equivalences, while Alexandre Gonçalves from ABANCA addressed banking complexities due to Venezuela's risk status and the significance of digital tools.
Susana Rodrigues, vice-president of VENECOM, emphasized that integration takes time and that each emigrant carries a story. Bureaucracy was identified as a major obstacle, despite the qualifications and financial capacity of many Luso-Venezuelans.
