World Portuguese Language Day celebrated at the European Parliament with a focus on women, innovation, and entrepreneurship

BRUSSELS, May 5, 2026 – The European Parliament hosted an event on Tuesday dedicated to World Portuguese Language Day, bringing together leaders, decision-makers, and representatives from the Portuguese-speaking world for a high-level debate on the theme “Building the Future in Portuguese: Women, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.”

The event, organized by the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (CCBP) in partnership with the For Women By Women Foundation and with the support of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, was structured around three main segments: opening remarks, a moderated discussion, and a closing session.

The opening session featured remarks by MEP Carla Tavares, Kathleen Figueiredo Laissy, President of the Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, Sónia Silva, President of the For Women By Women Foundation, and Ambassador Lurdes Bessa, representing the CPLP Presidency.

In her remarks, Kathleen Figueiredo Laissy emphasized that “it is not enough to talk about women’s leadership: we must structure it, support it, and help it grow,” underscoring the need to turn the debate into concrete action, particularly through support networks, visibility of career paths, and mentoring programs capable of breaking through the so-called “glass ceiling.” She also reinforced the ambition to establish Portuguese as a language of the future, of influence, and of economic opportunity, positioning it as a true strategic asset in an increasingly competitive world.

For her part, Sónia Silva offered a perspective rooted in the field, sharing the work of the FWBW Foundation and arguing that development begins in communities and through the practical empowerment of women, particularly through education and access to digital technology. She emphasized the role of the Portuguese language as a tool for diplomacy, trust, and the creation of opportunities, capable of connecting realities as diverse as those in Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The panel discussion, moderated by Sónia Silva herself, brought together a diverse group of leaders from the Portuguese-speaking world, reflecting a variety of geographical, sectoral, and professional backgrounds:

Indira Campos (World Bank Group, Cape Verde), Mafalda Ferreira Santos (Sérvulo & Associados, Portugal), Leonor Sottomayor (Tabaqueira, Portugal), Marisa Monteiro Borsboom (Netherlands–Portugal Chamber of Commerce), Agnes Borges (Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg), Vera Alves (Alba Groupe, Luxembourg), and Isabel Cardoso-Fonquerle (Domaine de L’Oustal Blanc, France).

Structured around three themes—language as an economic asset, digital and innovation, and women’s leadership—the discussion sought to address key questions regarding the role of Portuguese as a business tool and a factor in strategic positioning.

In the first theme, the idea that the Portuguese language goes far beyond communication was highlighted, serving as a factor that builds trust, breaks down barriers, and accelerates economic relations. Drawing on diverse geographical contexts—from Brazil to Portuguese-speaking Africa, including the Benelux countries—the speakers emphasized the value of the language as a common starting point in a competitive global context.

The second theme highlighted the role of digital technology as a driver of internationalization, but also as a space where inequalities persist. The presentations emphasized the need to strengthen digital skills, innovation, and the strategic management of reputation and stakeholders, particularly in sectors subject to intense regulatory pressure.

In the third theme, dedicated to women’s leadership, a clear reflection emerged on the difference between access and power, as well as on the importance of creating concrete mechanisms that allow women not only to enter but to lead and transform decision-making spaces. The tension between spaces dedicated to women and the need to claim the main space was also discussed, within a logic of structural transformation.

The debate concluded with a question addressed to all the speakers: what remains to be built in the Portuguese-speaking world to enhance the impact of women leaders in the coming decade? The answers converged on the need to strengthen networks, trust, access to opportunities, and collaboration between countries and sectors.

In her closing remarks, MEP Carla Tavares highlighted the importance of initiatives that bring together language, equality, and development, emphasizing the role of the Portuguese language as a bridge between peoples and as a tool for international outreach

More than a symbolic celebration, this event served as a moment for strategic reflection and connection between communities, highlighting the potential of the Portuguese-speaking world as a platform for economic cooperation, innovation, and global leadership.