FLAD launches today the FLAD Rui Machete Award. The distinction, worth 200 thousand euros, will recognize a personality or institution that, worldwide, has stood out for its path of excellence in the field of transatlantic cooperation in various areas.

FLAD launches the FLAD Rui Machete Award, a tribute to the former President and former Minister who, for more than two decades, was at the head of the Foundation (1988-2010). The award will distinguish a personality or institution that, worldwide, has stood out for its path of excellence in the field of transatlantic cooperation in various areas.

“Rui Machete is an unavoidable figure in Portuguese politics and society and stands out for his service to the country, as a minister in several governments, and as president of FLAD, having been one of the great builders of his legacy. We wanted to use his example to recognize and encourage other people with a remarkable career in areas that contribute to the development of our country, within the scope of the bilateral relationship with the United States”, says Nuno Morais Sarmento, President of FLAD.

This Award is intended for individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves for their contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Portugal and the United States, promoting the development of our country, especially in the areas of science and technology, education and academia, innovation, art and culture, the social sector and diplomacy.

It will be awarded every two years, will have a value of 200 thousand euros, 50 thousand of which will be delivered to a non-profit institution, whose choice will be up to the distinguished person. The nomination of the candidates for the award and the final choice of the respective winner will be the responsibility of a Jury composed of renowned personalities, external to FLAD, chaired by José Manuel Durão Barroso.

The presentation of the Award takes place on the same day that FLAD makes public the program of celebrations of its 40th anniversary that will take place from May to October this year, between Portugal and the United States, with a special presence in the Azores Archipelago. The celebrations begin on May 20, the anniversary of the foundation, and the program includes at the beginning a conference dedicated to the Ocean, with a concert inspired by the work City of Glass by Paul Auster, in Lisbon; a conference dedicated to twin cities between Portugal and the United States, which will take place in São Miguel, Ponta Delgada; and at the end a unique concert at Carnegie Hall, in New York, in which the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and some of the biggest names in national music celebrate Amália’s return to Broadway.

About Rui Machete

Rui Machete was president of FLAD between 1988 and 2010.

In addition to his career at the Foundation, he stood out as a jurist, professor and politician. A PSD militant since 1974, he assumed, before his arrival at FLAD, the functions of Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in several governments, in the areas of Social Affairs (1975-1976), Justice (1983-1985) and National Defense (1985), and was a deputy in several legislatures.

In 1985, as Deputy Prime Minister, he signed the Treaty of Accession of Portugal to the European Economic Community (EEC).

After more than two decades leading FLAD, Rui Machete continued his mission of service to the country. In the XIX Constitutional Government, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs, consolidating a remarkable career in politics and diplomacy.

To recognize, reward and encourage paths of excellence in the field of transatlantic cooperation, we launched the FLAD Rui Machete Award. This award is intended for individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves for their contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Portugal and the United States, promoting the country’s development in the areas of science and technology, education and academia, innovation, art and culture, the social sector and diplomacy.

 

About FLAD’s 40 years

On May 20, 1985, the first foundation resulting from an agreement between two countries was born.

With the mission of deepening the historic alliance between Portugal and the United States, FLAD has brought this commitment to life over four intense decades, based on the pillars of art and culture, science and technology, education and transatlantic relations.

In a world where cooperation and collective intelligence are strategic tools for the progress of humanity, FLAD assumes itself as a platform for knowledge and active participation at the service of citizenship and human development.

The only common border between the United States and Portugal is the ocean. But this border does not separate us; on the contrary, it unites us. It is a bridge that connects us and a shared predestination.

This ocean, a true link between the two countries, is not only a physical reality, but also a symbolic space of convergence and exchange. In 2025, we celebrate 40 years of this common vision, reaffirming the bonds that unite us and projecting the future together.

Join us.

The schedule of the celebrations of FLAD’s 40th anniversary will be announced in detail over the next few weeks.