At a time when the world is restless and societies oscillate between rapid advances and profound fragility, International Human Rights Day reminds us of an essential truth: the development of a country — or the world — is only true when it includes everyone. This is, in fact, the central conviction of Henrique Gouveia e Melo: a leader whose economic vision is never separated from the human dimension and whose ambition for the future for Portugal is based, above all, on social cohesion.
The country is experiencing a growing sense of insecurity — not just physical, but emotional, economic and institutional. And yet, Portugal has within itself a latent greatness that Gouveia e Melo naturally calls upon: the idea that we are not condemned to smallness, nor to inertia, nor to being on the periphery of anything. To grow, however, we need to release the best that we have. It is this liberation that these causes seek to serve.
Among them, human dignity always appears as the first axis. The uncompromising defense of children, women and men victims of violence, the elderly, ex-combatants and any person with a disability or in a vulnerable situation is not born of political calculation: it is born of those who know the value of each life and recognize care as the foundation of any decent society. A nation that does not protect the vulnerable weakens itself from within.
In the field of health, Gouveia e Melo introduces two truly transformative priorities: prevention and mental health. Portugal talks a lot about the rights to health, but little about the duties of taking care of health — and this requires understanding how to create circumstances, environments and routines that promote well-being. This literacy begins in the first years of life and schooling and must be intentional. A country of active people, with good eating, sleeping and presence habits, is a more fulfilling country for everyone. In the same way, recognizing the urgency of mental health is recognizing the silent pressure that goes through families, schools and companies — and where we have to be active.
Another central cause is youth. Gouveia e Melo believes in the talent and energy of the new generations and wants to see them involved: to undertake, to participate civically, to take their place in building the future. Not because of rhetoric, but because no country progresses if it wastes its youth or fails to resolve its great challenges and achieve its great ambitions.
Education is another fundamental cause for Henrique Gouveia e Melo. Because it is through knowledge, technology and continuous learning that Portugal will be able to transform its economic and social model, prepare itself for major changes and reduce inequalities at birth. Access to education from the first years of life — and education throughout life — is what forms, inspires and empowers a society to think better, act better and build better. Schools that are true spaces of life, creativity and literacy for the future are the basis of a fairer, more inclusive and more prepared country. Without education, there is no equality at the starting point; With education, the path opens to everything we aspire to be.
The future also depends on our relationship with the territory. The protection of biodiversity, respect for animals, forest planning and living outdoors are dimensions that unite environment, health, culture and national identity. These are causes that give the Portuguese people back an essential connection: that of walking, breathing, belonging and caring for their country.
These are joined by sport and culture as factors of unity, identity and collective elevation — common languages that bring together, inspire and shape the society we want to be.
But none of these causes will prosper if the country continues to be trapped by slow and inaccessible justice, or by a State that, drowned in bureaucracy, is no longer able to fulfill its own responsibilities towards its citizens. Reforming justice and recovering the functional sovereignty of the State are not technical issues: they are structural conditions for freedom, trust and economic growth.
These causes — human, social, economic, environmental — may seem distinct, but, in Henrique Gouveia e Melo’s view, they form the same whole. Because a strong country is not born just from the economy, nor just from solidarity: it is born from the balance between both. The ability to think big without leaving anyone behind.
On a day dedicated to human rights, it is important to recognize this: Portugal needs leaders who unite, elevate and project a future. And above all, it needs an integrated vision that knows that development is built with people, for people and by people.
This is the vision that Henrique Gouveia e Melo offers the country: a greater Portugal — in ambition, dignity and hope. A Portugal with direction.