President of Católica emphasises importance of professional qualifications at SEDES conference

The President of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Isabel Capeloa Gil, was one of the speakers at the conference "The World in 2024", held in Funchal, which marked the 1st anniversary of the establishment of SEDES - Association for Economic and Social Development in Madeira.

At an event that brought together nine nationally renowned speakers, Isabel Capeloa Gil emphasised the pressing need for a business fabric capable of absorbing and integrating qualified talent to face challenges such as talent retention in Portugal.

Addressing demographic issues and the impact of the migratory flow on the country, the UCP President highlighted the negative demographic growth and noted that, despite this, Portugal is experiencing positive population growth, driven by the increase in immigrants. Isabel Capeloa Gil mentioned the "silent revolution in qualifications". She explained that it is not a "tragedy" for qualified professionals to seek experience abroad, but that it is necessary to balance the flow of qualified labour leaving and entering the country.

To face this challenge, the President proposed a solution based on creating more qualified job opportunities and on the ability of companies to absorb this highly skilled labour force: "We need a business fabric that can integrate qualifications," she concluded.

The event, divided into two panels, was attended by figures such as Nuno Amado, Chairman of BCP, and Pedro Siza Vieira, Senior Partner at PLMJ. The ceremony also included the presentation of the SEDES Madeira Award and speeches by SEDES president Álvaro Beleza and the president of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque.

SEDES, which opened its headquarters in Madeira on December 10, 2022, has made a name for itself as a space for debate and reflection on crucial issues for Portugal's economic and social development.