"The human factor is fundamental"

"I've always been very curious and was fortunate to grow up in a free country, the daughter of someone who always tried to instill in me an awareness of freedom. And I've always wanted to meet other people and cultures." As a child, Sofia Moreira de Sousa dreamed of being an astronaut to see the whole world, but it was in diplomacy that she found a way to have that very real experience. "A long-distance view wouldn't allow me to see all the nuances of these different realities," she admits today, explaining how her desire to be an active participant has materialized in her career, which has taken her from the European Space Agency to the German Academy of Law.

In a rich and diverse journey, the guest of this fourth episode recognizes a "common challenge" of adapting to any of the destinations she's visited, from Addis Ababa to Georgia, but above all, her personal effort to "understand the culture and context of local life." And she points to the ability to listen and overcome prejudices as essential to gaining confidence. "Speaking the language, respecting the culture and history of each region, and being able to understand the nuances and seek the right communication" make everything easier, she assures, summing up the key to adaptation: "The human factor is fundamental."

António Brochado Correia: "It's easy to train good technicians. Training good human beings is extremely difficult." Watch the first episode of this season here.

"A sense of mission, of serving people," is ever-present in her journey, which she shares through stories of her experiences between schools in Johannesburg and missions in Ethiopia, until becoming ambassador and head of the European Commission Representation in Portugal. In a relaxed and open conversation, Sofia Moreira de Sousa explores deeply what unites us, the achievements we take for granted, and the questions we still need to ask. What kind of Europe do we have today? And what kind of Europe do we want to build? After all, how do we build trust between cultures? And how do we maintain a common path in a world of constant turmoil?

These are some of the questions that run through this fourth episode of the second season of the Luso Lab podcast , of which SAPO is a partner, in an interview conducted by Francisco Carneiro, a young advisor to the Portuguese Diaspora Council and Data Engineer at Agicap, in France.

The guest on the new episode of the Diaspora Council podcast , of which SAPO is a partner, shares an integrated and inclusive worldview where everyone wins. She's another addition to the program, which has already featured names like António Brochado Correia, Alexandra Brandão, and Daniel Guedelha, and which you can follow on the usual platforms and here on SAPO .

The stock market was Alexandra Brandão's cup of tea. But she established herself as a talent leader. Relive the Luso Lab podcast episode here.

Watch the full episode on the usual platforms and remember the contributions of previous guests on YouTube , Spotify and Apple Podcasts of the Portuguese Diaspora Council.