On 12 June, the main entrance of Iscte - Knowledge and Innovation hosted a symbolic ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the European Communities. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque celebrating the occasion in the Lisbon region.

The event was attended by Teresa Almeida, President of CCDR Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, I.P., Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues, Rector of Iscte, Cristina Perdigão, Director of the Erasmus+ National Agency, as well as Vice-Presidents of CCDR LVT, I.P., members of the Lisboa 2030 executive team, institutional representatives, members of the academic and scientific community, and students.

In her speech, Teresa Almeida emphasised the historical and symbolic importance of the date, recalling the role of leaders such as Robert Schuman and Mário Soares in building a legacy defined as “a space of values – of freedom, democracy, solidarity, and peace.”

She also highlighted the central role of the Lisbon region in national development, much of it driven by European funding, citing the example of the Iscte Knowledge and Innovation Centre for Value Creation and Technology Transfer – a €19 million investment that enabled the renovation of facilities and strengthened the connection between research, business, and society.

Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues, Rector of Iscte, underlined the significance of the challenge proposed by CCDR LVT, I.P. to jointly mark this anniversary, which she recalled as the country’s entry into a “new European world”, bringing with it all the essential conditions of a democratic system.

The ceremony concluded with a moving performance by the Iscte choir, which presented a symbolic repertoire, including a rendition of “Acordai” by Fernando Lopes-Graça.