FCT signs protocols with CES and ACM for research in social areas

On 4 July, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) signed a protocol with the Economic and Social Council (CES) and another that joined these two with the High Commission for Migrations (ACM), to promote social studies to support policy decisions. The ceremony was attended by FCT President, Madalena Alves, and the Ministers of State and Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendes, and of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Elvira Fortunato, and the President of the ESC, Francisco Assis.

The protocol established between FCT and CES is global and multi-annual, and aims to promote research in the economic and social fields, whereas the protocol established in partnership with a third entity, the ACM, has the objective to develop a scientific study on Roma communities in Portugal, in particular on their socioeconomic situation, and which were represented in the protocol signing session by several associations of these communities. This will be the first national study on Roma communities, a goal of the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities (ENICC).

The establishment of these protocols intendeds to guarantee funding for relevant studies in the economic and social areas, so that research can be carried out that can be made available to the country and used as a basis for public policies, enabling politicy decisions supported by scientific studies.