January 28th 2015 The President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, and the Ambassador of the United States of America to Timor-Leste, Karen Stanton, officially opened the Fourth National Youth Forum today at the Palacio do Nobre, Lahane.

The National Youth Forum is organized by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Youth Engagement to Promote Stability (YEPS) project and the National Youth Council of Timor-Leste (CNJTL). USAID’s YEPS project is generously supported by the American people through USAID and implemented by Search for Common Ground Timor-Leste (SFCG). YEPS aims to provide at-risk and disaffected youth nationwide with reliable information and specific skills to proactively address and respond to conflict related issues.

This year’s forum has special significance, because it will correspond to the Issues and the context of current developments in Timor-Leste. The forum brings together five youth participants from each District that will include Youth Council Coordinators, youth leaders from youth mapping conducted by SFCG, representative of youth parliament, tertiary students, and other youth groups. This event presents a wonderful opportunity to allow Timorese youth to share their visions of the future and their perspectives on the past and present in a safe, inclusive forum. In order to show solidarity for the future of Timor-Leste, international development professionals, civil society members, and government representatives are invited to attend the forum and show their commitment to youth participation in the continuing development of Timor-Leste.

Topics to be discussed during the forum include revision of national youth policy, community service program for youth, upcoming village elections, and the State Budget and how it responds to youth needs. On the second day, youth will participate in an interactive talk-show about the impact of free access to internet on youth followed by an opportunity for the youth to come together and reflect on what they have learnt during the panel discussion and interactive talk-show. Selected youth will then meet with public officials on the next day, while others will visit museums in Dili. The forum will close with a youth-focused expo on 30 January, featuring stands from organizations and government departments that work closely with youth.

Opening the forum, U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste Karen Stanton told the crowd of almost 200 youth from across the country, “we are asking you to get involved, to begin preparing to be leaders in your sucos and future leaders of your country, because I firmly believe that you can shape the future of Timor-Leste for the better.” 

“CNJTL has a long and productive relationship with SFCG. We hope that events like these will encourage youth to become active citizens in their communities, such as through engaging in local activities, with the village council, and with government. We also encourage youth to come forward as candidates for upcoming village elections,” said Leovigildo Hornai, CNJTL President.

As part of the opening, USAID’s Youth Engagement to Promote Stability (YEPS) project also launched its first comic book series “Hau Nian Aventura”. Topics of the comic books were determined by youth and field tested in Aileu, Gleno and Baucau. Addressing the issues of early marriage, patriarchal culture, political manipulation of youth, youth in violent conflict, nepotism and the role of female youth in village council, the comic books provide an educational tool for young people on how to resolve conflicts without violence. The comic books were hand-drawn by local illustrator Miguel dos Santos Nuak, and the characters and storyline were developed in close collaboration between the SFCG team, youth, and experts. The books will be distributed to all districts, including to schools, village councils, youth councils and youth centers.

“SFCG has found great success with comic books in other countries, and we are excited to produce a series here in Timor-Leste, written by and illustrated by Timorese. We look forward to hearing from young people what they think about the books,” said José Francisco de Sousa, SFCG Country Director.

USAID’s YEPS project will continue and expand USAID’s assistance to implement conflict mitigation and peacebuilding activities targeting at-risk and disaffected youth. The project aims to transform the way in which youth engage with the government and community leaders to promote peace and reconciliation. Overall, it seeks to bridge the gap between Timorese youth and social and political structures at the local and national level and contribute to conflict prevention through the innovative use of media.

“USAID has worked in Timor-Leste since 1999, providing support for sustainable development from the American people. As part of a comprehensive partnership between Timor-Leste and the United States, USAID currently provides assistance in the areas of democratic governance, economic growth, and health.” 

The project – for youth, by youth, and about youth – seeks to bridge the gap between Timorese youth and social and political structures and contribute to conflict prevention by fostering the responsible participation of youth in Timor-Leste including focus on election and post-election processes. The project is implemented by SFCG in cooperation with national partner Conselho Nacional Juventude de Timor-Leste (CNJTL).

For more information contact SFCG Media Manager: Ana Sequeira, 331 3312, hp 7723 5761.