Researcher Paulo Miguel Madeira (CEG/TERRA) participates in debate on regionalization
Paulo Miguel Madeira (CEG/TERRA) warned of the lack of public discussion on regionalization and advocated an approach with homogeneous regions, in a debate promoted by the Conta Lá channel
Paulo Miguel Madeira, researcher at the Centre of Geographical Studies (CEG) and member of the TERRA Associate Laboratory, participated in a debate on regionalization promoted by the cable channel Conta Lá, which specializes in regional and local issues. The debate is part of the “Pensar Portugal” (Thinking Portugal) series of debates promoted by Conta Lá, which brings together personalities from different fields to reflect on issues that shape Portuguese society.
Although provided for in the Constitution, regionalization has only been put to a referendum once, 27 years ago. In this debate, Paulo Miguel Madeira (CEG/TERRA) stressed that “the referendum was not binding because it did not achieve a 50% turnout of the electorate” and warned of the lack of public debate in recent years on possible models of regionalization.
Paulo Miguel Madeira also advocated an approach based on homogeneous regions: “For regionalization to have positive effects — more development, greater economic activity, and well-being, etc. — I advocate an approach based on homogeneous regions, where there are no major contrasts within the regions.”
The CEG/TERRA researcher spoke about Cohesion Policy, a European Union investment instrument designed to promote balanced economic, social, and territorial progress across the Union. He expressed concern about the shift in priorities of this policy, which has been moving away from the objective of convergence between regions — currently favoring competitiveness, which tends to benefit the most prosperous territories.
Watch the full debate:
Paulo Miguel Madeira has regularly participated in initiatives on territorial policies. He was one of the experts invited to the debate promoted by TERRA “TERRA Associate Laboratory Releases Video of Debate on the EU-Mercosur Agreement” (news here), and earlier this year, the researcher was one of the guests on the RTP2 Civil Society program, where he addressed relevant issues on regional disparities and the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities (news here).
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