The Council of Portuguese Communities (CCP) is the Government's consultative body for policies relating to Portuguese communities abroad. In general, it is responsible for issuing opinions, producing information and formulating proposals and recommendations on matters concerning Portuguese residents abroad and the development of the Portuguese presence in the world.
Created by Law no. 66-A/2007, of 11 December, amended and republished by Law no. 29/2015, of 16 April, the Council of Portuguese Communities (CCP) is the Government's advisory body for policies relating to emigration and Portuguese communities abroad.
It is the responsibility of the CCP:
CCP composition
The CCP is composed of a maximum of 80 members, elected by Portuguese citizens residing abroad who are electors to the Assembly of the Republic.
The term of office of the directors is four years.
CCP organisation
The Council operates in plenary, in permanent council, in thematic committees, in regional councils, in sections and sub-sections.
The plenary of the Council shall consist of 80 elected members.
The Council shall meet ordinarily in plenary session, once per term of office, and extraordinarily when, for particularly relevant reasons, this is justified.
Duties and criteria of CCP
Rights of the CCP counselors
It is the responsibility of the CCP:
- Emitir pareceres, a pedido do Governo ou da Assembleia da República, sobre projectos e propostas de Lei e demais projectos de actos legislativos e administrativos, bem como sobre acordos internacionais ou normativos comunitários relativos às comunidades portuguesas residentes no estrangeiro;
- To present opinions, at the request of the Government or the Assembly of the Republic, on draft and proposed legislation and other draft legislative and administrative acts, as well as on international agreements or community regulations relating to Portuguese communities resident abroad;
- Appreciate any questions put to it by the Regional Governments of the Azores or Madeira concerning the Portuguese communities from those autonomous regions;
- Produce information and issue opinions, on its own initiative, on all matters concerning Portuguese residents abroad and the development of the Portuguese presence in the world, and address them to the member of the Government responsible for the areas of emigration and Portuguese communities;
- Formulate proposals and recommendations on the objectives and application of the policy principles for Portuguese communities.
CCP composition
The CCP is composed of a maximum of 80 members, elected by Portuguese citizens residing abroad who are electors to the Assembly of the Republic.
The term of office of the directors is four years.
CCP organisation
The Council operates in plenary, in permanent council, in thematic committees, in regional councils, in sections and sub-sections.
The plenary of the Council shall consist of 80 elected members.
The Council shall meet ordinarily in plenary session, once per term of office, and extraordinarily when, for particularly relevant reasons, this is justified.
Duties and criteria of CCP
- Comparecer nas reuniões do Conselho onde tenham assento e das Comissões que se venham a criar e às quais pertençam;
- Attend meetings where they sit and of the Committees that may be created and to which they belong;
- Contributing to the proper functioning of such meetings, as well as participating in the respective votes on the resolutions;
- Contribute to the proper performance of the powers attributed to the Board;
- Cooperate with institutions or entities of the host countries in matters of interest to the Portuguese communities.
Rights of the CCP counselors
- Participate in debates, make proposals and vote;
- Request clarification from the holders of consular posts in the constituencies where they were elected;
- Meet semiannually with the holders of diplomatic missions and consular posts;
- Meet, at least once a year, at the Portuguese Embassy, with the technicians and diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to exchange information on issues of importance to the country and to the Portuguese communities in matters such as education, social issues, economics, associations, culture, among others;
- To request through the Government member responsible for the areas of emigration and Portuguese communities, information on issues related to Portuguese communities and emigration from the various services dependent on the Portuguese State abroad.