DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MEDIA RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
MEDIA RELEASE
Dili, November 29 2006
27 travel to Timor-Leste to learn that the individual CAN influence change
Twenty seven men and women from 10 countries are in Timor-Leste taking part in a two-week intensive course learning that – especially in today’s world – the individual CAN make a difference and influence change.
They are participating in the Diplomacy Training Program which was originally conceived and founded in 1989 by Prime Minister Dr José Ramos-Horta at the Faculty of Law at the University of NSW in Australia.
“In today’s world of conflict and change individuals with goodness in their hearts are even more important than ever,” Dr Ramos-Horta said from his home in Dili on Sunday when launching the program and welcoming participants.
“I originally started this project with great optimism and that optimism continues today. The emergence of the internet has actually enhanced the ability of individuals to join as a ‘collective’ and make their messages heard – very loudly indeed.”
The program will be conducted in three centres across Timor-Leste – in Dili, Dare and Baucau. Participants have come from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, the US, Thailand, Burma, South Korea and Australia, with instructors from Timor-Leste, Australia and the US.
The objectives of the course are:
· To provide to human rights activists training in human rights law, the UN system, global civil society and advocacy skills.
· To enhance the capacity of community advocates and human rights defenders to access and participate in Governmental and inter-Governmental processes to promote and protect human rights and the rule of law.
· To encourage and facilitate the development of support networks between human rights defenders in East Timor and the region.
· To provide specialized human rights training to officials and NGOs in East Timor.
“The Timorese are perfect examples of how persistence, righteousness and courage can prevail,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.
“Timor-Leste’s independence was won by people who would not give up. By people who took the opportunity to spread a message to the world. By people who persuaded the world to support their cause.”
Dr Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Laureate, established the Diplomacy Training Program specifically to develop the capacity of indigenous and human rights advocates in the Asia-Pacific region. It is formally affiliated with the University of New South Wales through the Faculty of Law.
This program runs until December 13.
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1 comentário:
Thank you Prime Minister for this great news, now what are you going to do about Alfredo? Please don’t give us mixed messages we want CONCRETE action against criminals. No wonder you cannot control youth gangs in Dili, because you continually fail to take action against criminals. Alfredo up to now remains free, he is in obvious possession of illegal arms, he is a rebel, he shot an FFDTL soldier dead, such a crime carries a death penalty in the US Army.
Alfredo is a security threat to our nation. Only a week after urging International peacekeeping forces arrest rebel leader Alfredo Renaldo, Prime Minister Horta has changed his approach towards resolving the issue surrounding the fugitive rebel leader by calling for dialogue.
Alfredo escaped from prison after his arrest for weapons possession is also wanted for murder. The rebel leader was under personal armed guards, not only the International forces fail to apprehend Alfredo they also have failed to apprehend his personal guards who are in violation of a Government order against the illegal carrying of weapons.
Two weeks ago the Prime Minister sought to return or relocate internally displaced people to homes or higher grounds because of the wet season, yet people still live in refugee camps in the capital Dili.
It’s the Prime Minister stood by his own words.
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