Friends conference across the sea to Timor-Leste

Friendship groups have played a vital role in the rebuilding of a nation devastated by war and poverty for the last 25 years - a theme central to a conference held earlier this month in Timor-Leste with 80 representatives from Australia including Mansfield’s Friends of Venilale (FoV) and Wangaratta’s Friends of Lacluta. Organised by the Australian Timor-Leste Friendship Network (ATLFN) with support from the Australian Embassy and the Timorese government, the conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Dili brought together two countries with a shared history and values. Attending the conference from Mansfield FoV were David and Anne Foster, and Lynn Elder, joined by Joni Sarmento, liaison officer and Candida Belo from Venilale. Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson described the relationship as the “glue that holds our people together” and being the “closest of neighbours” and friends. The network was founded in 2009, but many friendship groups had formed in 2002 after independence was proclaimed in Timor-Leste. However, the connections with Australia stretch back to the 1970s and during World War Two. The first friendship groups established were started in the local government areas of Melbourne – Darebin, Moreland (now Meri-Bek) and Port Phillip. Today there are 32 friendship groups formally registered with ATLFN, with the ambassador noting that cooperation was not just at a local government level. “It is truly inspiring, and I am very pleased to hear about the progress,” said Ms Wilson. She spoke of a collaborative two way exchange between the two countries with a focus on education, health, and the environment. “Timor-Leste is a stable and resilient nation and is working towards joining ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” Ms Wilson said. The prime minister and former president of East Timor Xanana Gusmao was most apologetic that he was unable to attend in person but provided a heart-felt address via a video linkup. He thanked the Australians present for their contribution over 25 years in sharing meaningful ties with his country. “With the friendship groups all have different responses to local needs and priorities," said Mr Gusmao. “I acknowledge the various programs including building of toilets, kinders, hospitals etc. “A grass roots approach is vital for our journey together." The next official address was from president Jose Ramos Horta who attracted a large Timorese media presence. Mr Ramos-Horta complimented Ms Wilson as being “One of the most active ambassadors we have had.” He shared the story of former Timor-Leste ambassador to Australia – Abel Guterres, now serving as ambassador to Brunei. Mr Guterres has ties to Mansfield having visited here for the 10th anniversary of the FoV group. The president spoke of how after meeting Mr Guterres he vowed to help him to study and serve his country. Mr Ramos-Horta who addressed the conference delegates in English not Portuguese the official language of Timor-Leste has forged strong connections with Australia during his time spent here. He bemoaned the fact despite many positive changes the Australian and Portuguese media had ignored a promise not to report “what is negative.” “In 2002 we had one PHD and 19 medical graduates; now more than 100 PHDs and 1300 plus medical graduates,” said Mr Ramos-Horta. Some of these graduates work in nearby Indonesia. The Timor-Leste eye program started 20 years ago through the Australian College of Physicians with 7000 operations conducted. Another breakthrough is access to electricity for 97 per cent of the territory. Connectivity is ongoing with significant improvements in the near future. Further foreign investment of $100 million by the Japanese for a new shipyard with the first ship built due in 2027/28. “Poverty rates still high,” said the president but noted improvements. Challenges still facing Timor-Leste, he said, were clean water supplies and education around malnutrition, which was not just a poverty problem. Malaria has been eliminated but dengue fever remains an ongoing issue in Timor-Leste. English was expanding while the two official languages were still Tetum and Portuguese. Mr Ramos-Horta described English as the global business language. While he acknowledged improvement in human resources and governance, there were many educated Timorese without jobs. The rest of the conference heard from various Timorese officials including the minister of state administration Tomas Cabral, and various friendship groups shared their different projects and successes. FoV secretary David Foster and Venilale Friends of Mansfield (FoM) member Candida Belo were interviewed by the national broadcaster RTTL World News during the conference. Ms Belo a high school teacher in Venilale spoke of the benefits that FoV provided through scholarships for government schools like her own and for further education. FoV is currently funding 27 scholarships with 16 for high school students and the remainder for university places. “There are a lot of improvements, and we are happy to have assisted in a small way,” said Mr Foster. “It is a delight to visit and help the people of Venilale. “We work hard fundraising in our small town of 5000 people with market stalls, farm walks, film nights; whatever we can think of that can raise money." Mid-conference attendees were treated to a cultural night dinner which included a performance by Wangaratta’s Andy Kimba and Benny Conclaves a liaison officer for Friends of Lacluta. The second day was again a packed program with lots of speakers and good news stories of activities to benefit the people of Timor-Leste. There were sessions on oral health, disability inclusion, PALM workers, youth permaculture programs and government support for education and young people. In closing, Minister Mr Cabral thanked the friendship organisations on behalf of his government and the people of Timor-Leste for 25 years of service, emphasising the importance of a “people-to-people” approach to development. Following the conference, Friends of Venilale members travelled to Venilale for a community visit. A full report on the visit will follow.

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