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Timor-Leste
National Youth Forum – Dili
Opening ceremony of the National Youth Forum 2012 by Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, along with EC and USAID representatives
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On November 9-12th, SFCG Timor-Leste, in partnership with the Timor Leste National Youth Council, hosted the National Youth Forum in Dili. The Forum brought together 92 youths (between the ages of 17-29) from all 13 districts and from a diverse array of backgrounds and communities to discuss issues relevant to them in the aftermath of the elections and the lead up to the withdrawal of the UN mission.
Elections
The participants, including representatives from political parties, martial arts groups, youth organizations and religious groups, were asked to reflect on the struggle of young people in Timor-Leste and engage in open dialogue with politicians and leaders of the current Constitutional Government about the successes and challenges of the recent elections. Feedback on the issues raised during the forum will provide SFCG and its media partners with valuable material for creating the second series of popular peacebuilding radio programs: the youth radio magazine Babadok Rebenta! and the drama series Karau Dikur ba Dame. Participant responses will inform key stakeholders in government and civil society about youth aspirations and challenges.
Head of the Timor Leste military engages with youth at the National Youth Forum
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The Imminent Withdrawal of UNMIT
Representatives from the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), the National Police of Timor-Leste, the Office of the Secretary of Youth and Sport, USAID, and various NGOs were present and spoke about both current and future roles of the country’s youth in security. The structure of the Forum revolved around two panel discussions and two Open Space Forum sessions. The theme for these sessions was: What are the challenges that need to be overcome to realize a better future for the people of Timor-Leste?
Participants were active and energetic in raising issues. Participants discussed issues as diverse as the promotion of women leadership, security, creating job opportunities for youth, education, corruption, land disputes, domestic violence, the use of media for development, the need for unity,the involvement of the disabled in infrastructure, and the role and responsibility of civil society. The participants gave various recommendations that will be presented in a final report to the government. These include ideas for the socialization of women’s rights in rural areas, and the building of job training centers in sub-districts. On November 12th, participants closed the National Forum by commemorating the massacre of Santa Cruz and joining the Dili procession to the Santa Cruz cemetery.
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