In a world marked by geopolitical fragmentation, trade tension and internal polarization, the preservation of democracies has become a central foreign policy priority for countries like Canada. The issue is no longer just economic or security. It’s institutional. It’s civic. It’s about trust.
In Davos, our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, stressed that democracies need strong institutions, social cohesion and cooperation between countries that share the same values. In a context of increasing competition between political models, middle powers cannot act in isolation. They need to strengthen alliances, invest in multilateralism and consolidate their own internal resilience.
It is within this framework that cultural initiatives can assume strategic significance.
In Canada, the Black History Month It’s more than a celebration. It is part of an ongoing commitment to a plural democracy, where recognizing the contributions of all communities reinforces the legitimacy of institutions. Inclusion is not just a question of fairness; It is a condition of stability.
Three years ago, we brought the celebration of this anniversary to Portugal. Not with the purpose of exporting a model, but as an invitation to everyone’s recognition in Portuguese History itself. Over this period, the Embassy commissioned 12 portraits of black Portuguese figures, both historical and contemporary, whose contributions helped shape the country. These portraits were presented at three public galas, in an exhibition, and discussed at institutional meetings that brought together representatives of the State, civil society and the Portuguese-speaking diplomatic corps.
This event also gave a dimension of historical reciprocity to the relationship between our two countries. One of the first black figures documented in the History of Canada is Mathieu da Costa, an interpreter on the Atlantic voyages of the 17th century, probably of Portuguese-speaking origin. Their presence reminds us that the histories of Canada and the Portuguese-speaking world have been intertwined for centuries. Recognizing this connection is recognizing that Atlantic History is shared.
At a time when public debate in several democracies is becoming more polarized, particularly around migration and national identity, valuing narratives of belonging and dialogue are ways of strengthening the democratic space. It is not about denying challenges, but about preventing social fragmentation from weakening institutions and trust.
Portugal occupies a unique place in this context. As the headquarters of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), it is a meeting point between continents and histories. The CPLP represents a community of States with different trajectories, but united by a language and a commitment to cooperation and democratic governance.
Canada, as an associated observer, sees this space as a strategic opportunity for middle powers to work together. In a global scenario dominated by great rivalries, countries that value the rule of law and multilateralism can play a stabilizing role when they enhance shared norms and promote institutional inclusion.
O Black History Month in Lisbon was conceived as a catalytic initiative. The goal has always been for leadership to become progressively local. The fact that Portuguese authorities and actors are now prepared to assume this continuity is a sign of democratic maturity and genuine ownership.
Democracies are preserved not only through foreign or economic policies, but also through the way they tell their history. Societies that fully recognize the contributions of everyone who builds them are more cohesive, more resilient and more prepared to face uncertainty.
In a time of transformation of the world order, countries aligned with similar values strengthen themselves by cooperating and investing in inclusion as the basis of their own stability.
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