The neighborhood association Neighbors of Arroios launched the "Neighbors Awards" to distinguish deserving entities and personalities in the city.
Can the people of a city organize their own awards ceremony to honor figures and entities that, in that territory, are working for the common good? The Neighbors of Arroios showed that they did. In the past Friday, June 9ththis neighborhood association from the parish of Arroios, in Lisbon, distributed six distinctions to figures and entities it considered meritoriousin the first edition of the Neighbor Awards.
The idea of creating these awards came from Luís Castropresident of the association Neighbors of Arroioswhich together with the 528 memberswhich, with their respective households, represent about 1500 Arroios' parishioners, has defined four categories: Mobility, Security, Citizenship e Personality of the Year. Through WhatsApp groups, where neighbors meet and talk, the six people and entities to be distinguished were discussed. The choices were not easy, but the Neighbors there they were able to reach consensus.
In Mobility, it was awarded to Carriswhich in 2022 celebrated 150 years of life, and the Carris workers at the Saldanha Citizen Store for its support to the elderly when transportation became free of charge; in Security, the Municipal Civil Protection Service and its director, Margarida Castro Martinsfor its support and immediate intervention to the population of the city and, in particular, of Arroios; in Citizenship, the Diogo Lourençofounder of the portal Buses from Lisbonfor the commendable work of passenger information; and the Personality of the Year was honored to the businessman Rui Nabeirofounder of Delta Cafés, for the influence that his work also had in the parish.
The awards were delivered in a small ceremony at the Sociedade Geográfica de Lisboa, near Restauradores, attended by the Mayor. Carlos Moedas highlighted the proximity of his governance with the people of the city and, in particular, the neighborhood associations. "The example of your association is a very unique example, unfortunately very unique. There should be many more. We have more and more but we still don't have the ones that are enough to change the city through those who live in the city. My goal as mayor is to have the ability to bring people together and for them to come together for themselves, so that we can change the city.he commented, leaving a compliment to the President of the United States. Neighbors of Arroios: "Luís Castro, on top of everything else, has the character of a totally independent person who, even though I'm speaking here, is able to stand up and say what I'm doing wrong. He speaks to power with a voice, he's not afraid to say what he thinks, and that's extremely important."
Although the association Neighbors of Arroios be independent of Neighbors in Lisbon - association that, in turn, brings together groups of neighbors in different parishes - Luís Castro had the support of Vizinhos Em Lisboa and its president, Gonçalo Matos. "It was only with the collective effort of the two associations and Gonçalo in particular that this session was possible "said Luís during the ceremony. For his part, Gonçalo mentioned that the challenge of Neighbors of Arroios of creating these awards turned out to be a "challenge to the whole city, to the Neighbors of the whole city"in order to "to recognize all those entities and, behind them, the faces that relate to us and that say a lot to our city". For the President of the Neighbors in Lisboncitizenship "it's not activism, it's volunteering" and follows "a co-creation model with only the common good in mind". "Today we want to recognize, thank and be close to those who cooperate with us the most."
The Neighbors of Arroios invited a local artist, from the parish, to create six birds for the six awards given out in these Neighbors Awards 2022. Patrícia Mariano is a self-taught artist with an academic background in architecture and journalism, and with eight years of a career in advertising as copywriter creative. It was only in 2018 that Patrícia decided to pursue a career as a painter professionally and, since then, her path includes multiple solo and group exhibitions, as well as several urban art interventions, with a work that is somewhere between reality and dreams, and that can be described as surreal poetry in visual format.
Luís Castro promised continue the Neighbor Awards and, in 2024, present the awards for this year. It wants to do it again on June 9th, and has even put forward one of the possible names to be distinguished: nominated for the Mobility category will be Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) for completing, this year, 120 years of history; but the final choice will naturally be of the associates of the Neighbors of Arroios.
Neighbors Awards 2022
Mobility
In Mobility, the following was distinguished Carris for having, in 2022, completed 150 years of existence. "150 years serving the city, the people of Lisbon and also the neighbors in the parish of Arroios. It is an example of resistance that could not be left unmentioned at a time when mobility is being discussed so much.said Luís Castro. For the NeighborsThe residents of Arroios know how to recognize the role that this company has played over 150 years in improving their quality of life and mobility, shortening distances and distinguish with great pride this company, which they dare to call their own. Carris is a legacy of the city and the hope and bet for a better and more sustainable future. The Carris award was received by Sara Nascimento, from the company's administration, and the bird chosen by Patrícia was the flamingoA species that adapts to various times and is a symbol of individuality and uniqueness.
Also in Mobility were distinguished the Carris workers of Carris Store in Saldanha and, in particular, Paula Ribeiro, employee of that store. For the NeighborsCarris' distinction would not be complete if it did not also reward the thousands of men and women who throughout its history have contributed to its construction and consolidation. Companies are made with people and, in this sense, the Neighbors of Arroios They observed many Carris employees who, in the parish of Arroios, have contributed to its success, and decided to distinguish, in particular, the employee Paula Ribeiro, for the exemplary and expeditious way in which, in Saldanha, she helped dozens of elderly people to get their free pass. "Paula Ribeiro was the superwoman who, when President Carlos Moedas decided to do this thing of free passes for the elderly, dispatched two at a time. She especially helped the elderly with a lot of problems and several issues"said Luís. The chosen bird was the cardinalwhich symbolizes loyalty, fidelity, trust, and self-confidence.
Citizenship
In Citizenship, the young man was distinguished Diogo Lourençocreator of the portal Buses from Lisbon (AdL)a project of enormous public utility in the city of Lisbon. For the Neighbors of ArroiosIt represents a commendable work of high quality passenger information that can be easily understood by any age group. "We decided to choose a young man who is starting his professional career and who, against everything and everyone, got into the idea of making a website to 'compete' with Carris. He thought that Carris is not informing the passengers well".presented Luís. This is one of the most valuable projects we have in the constructive citizenship of our city, and it contributes decisively to bring Carris closer to its passengers, crew and other enthusiasts. All this voluntarily promoted by a young man in love with Carris, who is finishing his professional course in marketing and communication. "We distinguish Diogo Lourenço because he did everything without money, without anyone's support, and because he managed with his project to gather around him a group of other young people, he managed to mobilize more people for a cause, for an idea." The chosen bird was the parrot for being an excellent communicator.
Security
Regarding Security, the Neighbors of Arroios decided to highlight the Municipal Civil Protection Service of the city of Lisbon, for the herculean work carried out in favor of the city of Lisbon in the difficult moments of our collective life, such as the pandemic, the urban fires, the landslides, the floods? situations that would be more difficult to overcome if the parish could not count on the support and immediate intervention of the Civil Protection. "During the pandemic period and in between the pandemic and all the other accidents in the city, the Municipal Civil Protection Service has been extremely important"said Luís Castro. The residents of Arroios know how to recognize the role and the sacrifices that the members of this extended team have to make in fulfilling their mission, and they are grateful for their commitment. The Neighbors of Arroios would like this simple but sincere distinction to be understood as recognition of the unique role of the mission carried out by this municipal service. The bird chosen for this distinction is the falconIt is associated with power and strength due to its agility, speed, and hunting skills.
The Neighbors of Arroios have decided to distinguish also Margarida Castro Martins, director of the Municipal Civil Protection Service. "We want to thank Margarida for all her leadership work at the head of this team that has been extraordinary"commented Luís. For the Neighborsfew services of the Lisbon municipality are unanimously recognized and thanked by the citizens, and this has to do, in the association's opinion, with its leadership. The leadership that Margarida Castro Martins imprints daily at the head of this service and the direct, honest and sincere way she relates with the community could not go unnoticed. The chosen bird was the Blue jay, recognized for its communication, leadership, and expression skills; its loud and distinctive call symbolizes the importance of clear communication and ordered authentic expression, which are key attributes for expressing ideas and feelings assertively.
Personality of the Year
Finally, the Neighbors of Arroios decided to honor a Person of the Year, having chosen Rui Nabeiro, businessman and founder of Delta Cafés, who passed away last March. "This was the most problematic category, because, as Mr. President said, one of the things I value most while I'm in charge of this neighborhood association is that it has to be politically exempt. It has to be an organization of the people for the people. And we have people of all backgrounds and all ideas. But within plurality, we have reached an impasse with this category. All the names that were thrown on the table would not be consensual. Until one of our associates suggested the name of Rui Nabeiro. And the light was turned on, unanimity was immediate".said Luís. Although Delta Cafés is a company based in Campo Maior, in the Alentejo, Nabeiro's work has reached the residents of Arroios. The businessman helped the children and elderly people of the parish to enjoy leisure moments by providing them with a trip to the beach or to Campo Maior, and mitigated the hunger of some in the pandemic, a difficult moment of our collective life. Humanist for some, progressive for others, one thing is certain, for the Neighborshe was a simple, humble, honest and solidary man who gave value to the name "Nabeiro". The award was received by the current director of Delta Cafés, his son Rui Miguel Nabeiro, and other family members. The bird chosen for this tribute was the owl for representing wisdom.
