Rowing Against the Tide

The tide is gaining volume from radicalization, fragmentation, selfishness. Other similar fish school in these waters. A clear perception emerges, an imperative from ethical conscience: to row against the tide.

CPLP – the Community of the Portuguese Speaking Countries is a wonderful space of dreams, because it may become anything we wish it to become. It has foundations implanted in precious ground: the wish to build common destinies in spite of an improbable geography. The passion on the CPLP idea is in tune with feelings of union above distance, difference, divergence. Exaggerating, we would say that, more than interest, emotion pushes these countries to one another – and this explains the search for assets that may support it.

The perspective of increasing the entangling of the CPLP countries through mobility in science and its actors gives us a good feeling. It is for a good reason: we believe that happiness is built upon the stepping-stones of knowledge, not ignorance.

The future we wish for is not gross, uncultured, crude, selfish and primary. We dream of it of all colors, pondered, wise, grounded in reason, embracing emotion.

INESC TEC has always sought to constitute a diverse universe. Always sought to unite and not divide. It has always cultivated a culture of integration among agents coming from different institutions, overlapping cooperation over competition.

Therefore, it is natural for us to welcome the initiative that we saw announced. Although late, better than never. Our appreciation is immense.

Well done.