Future Social Educators Take Part in Público's Anniversary Conference

First-year students of the Bachelor's degree in Educational Sciences – Social Education took part in the event “From my language, the world is seen”, an initiative integrated into the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the newspaper *Público*. The meeting brought together students, teachers, and experts to reflect on the role of the Portuguese language in society.

The event, which marked the 35th anniversary of the newspaper, the 500th anniversary of Luís de Camões, and the 50th anniversaries of the independence of the PALOP countries, sparked a debate on the evolution of the Portuguese language and its cultural, educational, and social impact.

Throughout the event, participants attended debates and lectures with special guests on the importance of language in culture, education, media, and the economy, as a tool for inclusion and social transformation.

The conference featured several guests such as the visual artist Francisco Vidal, who had the opportunity during the break to demonstrate some of his art and how he expresses it, and the musician Sam The Kid with his podcast “Assim" or "Assado”. Perhaps a more familiar name among younger audiences was the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The students, despite having a more discreet role, represented the younger generation, leaving their mark on the conference and showing that reading a newspaper is not outdated but rather an intergenerational practice.

As students, the inclusion of professionals from different fields and the use of everyday language captured our attention and made it possible for everyone to understand the content discussed. The presence of students reinforced the link between higher education and the media, providing a space for learning and exchange of experiences.

The initiative underlined the importance of education in building more inclusive and diverse discourses, aligning with the values of the degree and the challenges of contemporary society.

A special thanks to Portuguese language lecturer Lucimar Dantas for introducing us to this event, and to *Público* for welcoming us.