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The President of the Republic addressed a message concerning the holding of the 2012 Global Entrepreneurial Week.

Following is the text of the message from President Cavaco Silva:

“We are holding the 2012 Global Entrepreneurial Week, dedicated this year to the creative industries. This is an excellent opportunity to praise the will to innovate, to produce different, to promote the diversity of ideas, to preserve the values of heritage, culture and environment.

I thus congratulate the organization of this initiative, emphasizing its contribution towards the dissemination, within Portuguese society, of entrepreneurial and innovatory values.

Creativity and entrepreneurship are determining factors for enterprising initiative, for competitiveness, for job creation, for growth. There is no social progress or economic prosperity without entrepreneurial activity. A more dynamic society is a society that is freer and more equitable in the concession of opportunities. Authentic entrepreneurialism presupposes the freedom of initiative. Thus enterprising and active societies are the more cohesive and democratic.

In this context, I greet all the Portuguese young people that, with optimism and creative energy, will fully take part in the multiple activities that will be developed throughout the Country as well as worldwide. This is the right moment to refuse resignation and conformism. Share your dreams with other members of society, your common ambitions; discuss the possibilities of materializing your projects. Be daring and ambitious, since the future is built out of these qualities. Believe in your talent, in your dynamism, in the strength of your ideas. Do not give up on yourselves. To take part in this initiative is the proof of confidence in each one’s capabilities to project a better future for all.

It is thus with the greatest pleasure that I associate myself with a global movement that has inspired thousands of young people to believe in the transforming power of ideas, in creative talent and in their capabilities.

I wish all participants in the Global Entrepreneurial Week a broad experience in becoming aware of new potentialities and in the exchange of knowledge. It is from initiatives such as this that a better future can be built for Portugal and for the Portuguese.

To you all, my best wishes for your success.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”