The International Conference “Social Security Reserve Fund: ensuring long-term sustainability”. Organized by the Social Security Reserve Fund and the National Social Security Institute of Timor-Leste, this conference featured a diverse panel of international experts in an important debate on the challenges and opportunities facing the sustainability of Social Security, which celebrates 10 years in Timor-Leste this year. Among other experts, the Director-General of the Strategy and Planning Office, José Luís Albuquerque, and the President of the Institute for Management of Social Security Capitalization Funds, IP, José Vidrago, both of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security of Portugal, participated in this initiative. On the first day, José Vidrago addressed the fundamentals and objectives of the reserve funds, and subsequently the performance of the investments. Already on the second day of the Conference, in the context of the panel dedicated to actuarial and demographic sustainability, José Luís Albuquerque referred to the importance of the cohesion of societies and transparency in decision-making, stressing the importance of studies “as a fundamental instrument to support political decision-making, when measures have an impact on several generations”. Portugal, in the context of the bilateral cooperation developed by the Ministry of Labour of Solidarity and Social Security, has been an important partner in the strengthening of the Social Security System of Timor-Leste, present both in the process of creation and in the phase of consolidation of the System. This support occurs in a constant and consistent way through the institutional training developed with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion and its bodies, specifically the National Institute of Social Security and the Social Security Reserve Fund. Photos: Social Security, East Timor

On 30 January, the Deputy Secretary of State for Labour, Adriano Rafael Moreira, visited the project ‘Mothers of Mavalane Solidarity Network’ in Maputo. This project is part of the range of anti-poverty activities supported by the Strategy and Planning Office of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security of Portugal (GEP/MTSSS), framed by the Cooperation Programme between the MTSSS and the current Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Action of Mozambique The project is a flagship initiative of Portuguese Cooperation, managed by the Mavalane Mothers Solidarity Network, which aims to contribute to personal development and social insertion, mainly aimed at children and young people belonging to vulnerable social groups in Mavalane Neighborhoods A and B, Hulene A and B and neighboring neighborhoods in Maputo. The project has several social infrastructures, such as a Vocational Centre for youth training, a Day Centre, two Kindergartens and an Elderly Centre, functioning as a fundamental support for these communities. Altogether, this project and its various components directly benefit about 7,000 children, young people and elderly people, including 5,385 young trainees in areas directed to the labor market such as Informatics, Accounting, Human Resources, Public Relations and Leadership, Secretariat, Marketing and Sales Techniques. On the agenda of the bilateral visit of the Deputy Secretary of State for Labour to Mozambique, held between 28 and 31 January, meetings with the Minister of Youth and Sport and the Minister of Labour, Gender and Social Action of that country are highlighted. Also noteworthy is the visit to the Professional Training Centre for Metalworking in Maputo, supported since 1999 by the MTSSS, through the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP, I.P.), under a cooperation agreement that also includes social partners from both countries, including the National Association of Metalworking and Electromechanical Companies (ANEME) and the General Union of Workers (UGT). Photo © Mavalane Mothers Solidarity Network

In 2026 There will be a 10th edition of the the António Dornelas Prize, a prize created in 2017 as part of the celebrations of the centenary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The main objective of this award is to reward scientific or technical works, which have been developed by students, researchers and university professors, covering both the areas of work, employment, vocational training and industrial relations, as well as the areas of social security and inclusion of people with disabilities. Deadline for applications in 2026: - Submission of applications by 31 January 2026. Candidates: - Students, researchers and university lecturers from any higher education institution. - The application can be individual or collective. Works admitted to the competition: - Articles/papers, master's/doctoral theses in any one or more areas of intervention of the Ministry, namely: employment, vocational training, industrial relations and working conditions, solidarity and social security, including on social policies to combat poverty and promote social inclusion, birth rates and support for families and children and young people at risk, support for the elderly, as well as inclusion of persons with disabilities. -Presentation preferably in Portuguese but may also be in English. Submission of applications: - Through the preeenchamento of the form 2026, to be submitted via email gep.eventos@gep.mtsss.pt accompanied by the tendered project and a document issued by the respective higher education institution certifying the student, teacher or researcher status of the respective candidates. For more information see the the " António Dornelas Prize" published in Ministerial Implementing Order No 110/2017 of 16 March 2017. Awards from previous editions