Since 1998, Columbia University’s Center for International Conflict Resolution has been working to contribute to stability and development in Timor-Leste. CICR’s Timor-Leste Program is comprised of a Civil Society Capacity Building project, a Strengthening the NGO Sector project, and includes additional research, writing and initiative development in areas related to conflict prevention and development.
The Civil Society Capacity Building Project to Address Tensions in Timor-Leste seeks to provide assistance to newly independent Timor-Leste by creating space for community members to come together, identify needs, determine collective priorities and develop initiatives for directly addressing concerns. The project is a model for international actors seeking new methods of development assistance within a framework designed to reduce underlying causes of violent conflict, and it recognizes that efforts to increase human security are of utmost importance for the future prospects of this newly independent country.
For more information about the project in English, click here. To view the National Database of Community Development Projects in Timor-Leste (Access Files, Word and Excel Reports).
For detailed information about the project in Tetum, click here.
Planning Assistance, with partners CARE International and the Center for International Conflict Resolution (CICR) at Columbia University has been awarded a Cooperative Agreement funded by USAID/Washington, and is supervised by the Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation (PVC) in the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) to Strengthen the NGO Sector in East Timor. The project builds upon, enhances and expands the highly successful NGO strengthening and conflict prevention activities that both CARE and CICR have been engaged in for several years.
The Strengthening the NGO Sector in East Timor project includes a focused program of highly participatory needs assessments to identify community priorities as these may inform possibilities for reducing tensions and preventing violent responses to community challenges. Emphasis will be placed on building sound relationships with community groups and NGOs based on open and transparent communication. Specialized technical assistance using methodologies developed by the partner organizations, and others, to assess the capabilities of CBO and NGO partners will be provided as necessary in order to support the realization of successful initiatives that emerge from the assessments.
A strategic program to foster the development of networks will further support the NGO sector, using technology and other resources, by enhancing cooperation, facilitating linkages nationally and strengthening relationships among the international and the East Timorese communities. Partnerships will seek to reinforce and consolidate areas of strength and competence while addressing challenges faced both by the organizations themselves and by the communities in which they work. To do this, five teams will be strategically sited throughout the country. A small grants program will be established to provide resources for particularly innovative and promising initiatives that are sustainable over the long-term and that seek to contribute positively to vibrant communities. The Strengthening the NGO Sector project is a component of the Institute for Community Development, currently being established in Dili.
On the 24-25 of August 2006, Timorese youth were invited to gather, share knowledge and their experiences, and create new ideas with one another through discussion on the current crisis. The event was held at the Liceu at the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) using a method called Open Space, which was convened through the initiative of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport, the National Youth Council of Timor-Leste, the World Bank, Dili Distance Learning Center, UNICEF, UNTL and the NGO Feto Ki’ik Servisu Hamutuk. BELUN (supported by USAID) prepared for and facilitated the two-day Open Space, upon request of the World Bank, which convened the event.
The youth participating in the Open Space included 120 women and men, representing members of national youth council from the 13 districts as well as youth from various neighborhoods and centers for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Dili. During the first day, the youth discussed their vision on topics related to the crisis in Timor-Leste which they felt were relevant within their lives and important to address. On the second day, participants discussed positive actions they could take to address the priorities they expressed during the first day of discussions. The focus of the Open Space challenged youth to address the question “How can youth play an active role to promote peace, development, justice, and reconcilaition for Timor-Leste?”. Through the process of Open Space, each participant had the opportunity to facilitate a discussion on topics they chose based on their interests and felt responsible to address.
Over the two days, participants discussed various topics which included: creating employment opportunities, the role of media in the national crisis, strengthening national unity, the role of women in promoting peace, and how to combat corruption.
Through the process, participants also committed to actions such as pursuing employment opportunities for youth in coordination with government, organizing music and sporting events, as well as convening neighborhood level discussions for youth, and have independently held meetings since the Open Space to coordinate implementation of their actions plans. The results of the discussions were prepared into a report format which each participant received at the end of the two days, reflecting the active participation of the youth and enabling each representative to share with their community the results of the event and take further steps to address their priorities.