Timor-Leste: Increasing Access to Development Information

Dili, March 17, 2008 ––In January, staff from the World Bank’s Public Information Center held events in Maliana, Ermera, Aileu, Ainaro, Same and Oe-cusse districts from their base in Dili.  During these events, the team aimed to increase access to development information and provide a forum for useful discussions.

Participants in these events included students, local NGOs, local government officials, youth and women’s groups and representatives of other civil society organizations. Topics discussed included the World Bank in Timor-Leste, the project cycle including projects under preparation, active and closed ones, analytical and advisory activities, the Global Distance Learning Center as well as the type of services that are available at the Timor-Leste Public Information Center.

Located on the western and central parts of Timor-Leste, these districts are relatively isolated. People in the remote villages have little or no access to television, radio or newspapers. Many people receive the news only after a couple of weeks or so. In the town of Maliana and in the Oe-cusse district, which are located near the Indonesian border, for instance, people tend to receive information about Timor-Leste through Indonesian radio and television stations. “I listen to Indonesia’s Rajawali radio very often. This radio broadcasts news not only about Indonesia but also things that are happening in Timor-Leste as well and in that way I learn about what is happing in Timor-Leste,” said Pedro Soares, a 20 year old high school student in Oe-cusse District.

Pedro is an optimistic young student who is keen to learn about the development of Timor-Leste. “To me, the most important thing is not listening to Indonesia’s radio and television channels. The important thing is how to keep myself up-to-date on any information from around the globe and more specifically about Timor-Leste. I strongly believe that accessing information is crucial to helping people learn about key issues of development in Timor-Leste,” said Pedro. 

Women and the Role of Information

One of the organizations present at the event was REDE FETO, a women’s organization which has branches in districts. Since its inception in 2000, this organization has raised women’s concerns at the district, national and international levels.

By working closely with other Timorese women groups, their main tasks include participating in and contributing to the reconstruction as well as working directly with Timorese women through amongst others, literacy and income generating and poverty alleviation projects.

Women in the districts believe that sharing information about development issues – such as gender equality, health, education and farming techniques – is a key to educating rural and urban women to participate in the development process.

“I feel disheartened when I hear people saying that women are less equal to men. This is not true. I know that men and women have equal rights, however, women also must equip themselves with proper knowledge in order to complement the work done by men. One way to gain to knowledge is sharing and learning from our peer groups”, said Santina Pereira, Member of Rede Feto in Maliana District.  

Young People are the Actors for Change

Most Local government representatives in the districts responded positively to the outreach with great enthusiasm. They believe that young people can be  the actors of change in development if they are learning new knowledge through the exchange of information.

“Most information about development is concentrated in Dili. Most of our students in the district solely rely on books from the teachers. With the distribution of World Bank’s publications to schools, NGOs and district administrations, this will help expand our understanding about current development issues in Timor”, said Xisto Alves, Community Development Officer in Ainaro District.

This outreach event was also a good opportunity to explore what the young people of Timor-Leste think about the future of the country. Many were very optimistic about the progress that is taking place in the country in spite of the ongoing security problems.

“I strongly believe that Timor-Leste will someday be prosperous. Young people must learn to respect one another and we need to equip ourselves with better knowledge so that someday we can take the lead in the development of the country. Young people are the actors for change,” said Joanina Pinto, a 19 year student from Oe-cusse district.

Joanina is a passionate young student who is keen to become an environmentalist. “The reason for me to learn about the environment is because Timor-Leste has been blessed with plentiful natural resources; however, an unsustainable way of farming over the last few years has degraded our land, water and air. I hope that by studying the environment, I can do something to salvage our planet earth from destruction,” said Joanina.

Students believe that young people are the foundation of the country and it is important for students to learn about key development issues taking place in the country and to be able to apply their knowledge upon completing their studies. “When I finish my studies, I want to further deepen my knowledge in the area of development because someday I want to come back and contribute my knowledge in key development sectors, such as health and education, as they are important sectors which contribute to improving human development in the country, ” said Ilda dos Santos, a 20 year student from Same district. 

Participants were keen to ask questions related to development programs that the Bank has carried out so far since the country achieved its independence in 2002.

At the outreach sessions, World Bank Timor-Leste's publications, brochures, and the Tetum version of "Ten Things You Never Knew about the World Bank in Timor-Leste" were distributed. The PIC team also strengthened networks and communication with public and private schools, NGOs, and local government media officers in terms of sharing information related to development issues.

It was clear that the distribution of information between rural and urban areas remains a challenge.

One way to overcome this shortcoming may be the communication network that will be established in order to facilitate the flow of information. It is expected that through regular outreach activity the people of Timor-Leste will become better informed about development in the country and the work of the World Bank.