Forum GraPE 2024: A milestone in strengthening the Portuguese Graduates and Scientific Diaspora

The GraPE 2024 Forum, held on 27 December at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva in Lisbon, brought together leaders of the Associations of Portuguese Graduates Abroad, in an event that marks a new phase in the associativism of the Portuguese graduate and scientific diaspora. This meeting reflected on the accumulated experience and the challenges overcome, marking a moment of renewal and ambition for a joint and more strategic future.

With the theme "Reflections on Associativism", the GraPE 2024 Forum highlighted the role of associations in leading and strengthening Portuguese graduate and scientific communities abroad. Seven founding associations participated in the forum - AGRAFr (França), AGRAPS (Suíça), APEI Benelux (Bélgica, Países Baixos e Luxemburgo), ASPPA (Alemanha), PAPS (América do Norte), PARSUK (Reino Unido) e SPOT Nordic (Países Nórdicos) - and for the first time, emerging associations of markets such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Czech Republic, reinforcing the global dimension of the event and its relevance as an international collaboration platform.

Highlights

The GraPE 2024 Forum was structured as a space for strategic reflection and internal training, positioning itself for a more ambitious future. Among the highlights:

1. Inaugural plenary session: Models of associativism among the participating organizations were explored, with sharing of good practices and analysis of challenges. The session highlighted diversity as a strategic asset and reinforced the importance of supporting emerging associations.

2. Practical workshop: Management tools, such as the use of artificial intelligence, were presented to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of associations, especially in a context of limited resources.

3. Inter-association working groups: For the first time, groups were created focused on three main areas: development of member networks, institutional relations with Portugal, and fundraising. These teams will play a crucial role in the ongoing strengthening of the GraPE network.

4. Round table with high entities: Counting on the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, the President of Ciência Viva, the Vice-President of the Foundation for Science and Technology, and a Member of the Board of RAICEX (Spanish network), the discussion identified strategic priorities for collaboration between Portugal and the graduate and scientific diaspora, exploring synergies to address global challenges and strengthen international cohesion.

5. Closing ceremony: The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, the President of Ciência Viva and the Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities highlighted the example of vitality and impact of Portuguese graduate and scientific associativism abroad as well as its potential for Portugal.

Results

This forum consolidated GraPE as an indispensable platform in the national and international associative panorama. With decades of accumulated experience and inspired by successful models, such as RAICEX, GraPE is positioned to formalize itself as a key actor assuming an important role in the definition of Portuguese scientific policy. The diversity, skills and specialized scientific knowledge of the participating associations reaffirm their role as a driving force for informed public policies, economic and social impact, and greater visibility of the Portuguese diaspora in the global context.

"These meetings of leaders of the associations that integrate or seek to integrate the GraPE Forum are important to strengthen ties and shorten the bridges between the host countries and Portugal. They are also an opportunity to share experiences and good practices, and ensure that associativism in the Diaspora is prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the digitization era. We hope that the work developed by the community of Portuguese graduates abroad will remain relevant in the development of science, technology and, in general, of Portugal." Joana Campos, Vice President SPOT Nordic.

Future

The GraPE 2024 Forum was not only an event, but the initial milestone of a new era for the associativism of the Portuguese graduate and scientific diaspora. Based on the results achieved, 2025 promises to be a decisive and transformative year, able to place Portugal at the forefront of global science. The formalization of the GraPE network as a representative entity, The development of public policies aligned with international best practices and increasing the visibility of Portuguese academics and scientists abroad are just the beginning of a future full of opportunities and challenges. This is the time to help shape the future of science in Portugal, and the next steps promise results that will make history.