João Boavida, Executive Director of the Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD/Interpeace) held a brief presentation at the First Global Meeting of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding in Dili, Timor-Leste, on 9 to 10 April 2010.
The executive summary of the 'Priorities for Peace' report analyzes the findings from the consultations carried out in the districts and regional conferences. This Country Note presents key issues of concern identified by Timorese citizens. This report identifies 33 issues important for achieving lasting peace. The issues were divided into four thematic groups: politics, justice, social and economic issues. Some of the issues are cross-cutting and are presented as identified by the consultations.
This report analyzes the findings from the consultations carried out in the Districts and Regional Conferences on the main obstacles to peace in Timor-Leste. This National Report presents key issues of concern identified by Timorese citizens. This report identifies 33 issues important for achieving lasting peace. The issues were divided into four thematic groups: politics, justice, social and economic issues. Some of the issues are cross-cutting are presented as identified by the consultations.
Corruption has ongoing and lasting effects. It stifles economic and social development and contributes to governmental instability. It is a serious problem that effects all nations. 9 December is the International Anti-corruption Day that aims to raise awareness of corruption and its effects.
Corruption, collusion and nepotism has been identified as one of the main obstacles to lasting peace in Timor-Leste. Over 900 Timorese citizens were consulted by CEPAD on issues relating to peace. CEPAD is now working with local people, civil society and government representatives to develop solutions to the prevalent problem of corruption in the country. According to Transparency International's 2013 Corruption Perception Index released last week, public sector corruption in Timor-Leste has worsened from 33 out of 100 to 30 this year.
The Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD), Interpeace's partner in Timor-Leste worked together with the FOTI Timor-Leste Programme to develop materials that are raising awareness of corruption and the problems it causes in Timorese society. On the occasion of the International Anti-corruption Day, CEPAD has taken their innovative anti-corruption education package on the road. They aim to raise awareness of corruption in the most rural areas of Timor-Leste.
The Peace Houses
The events are being held in CEPAD's Peace Houses. These are increasingly being used by communities for peaceful community dialogue and engagement. The Peace Houses, founded on the local tradition of nahe biti bot (rolling out the big mat) have become a powerful hub for peacebuilding activities. Thanks to this latest anti-corruption initiative the Peace Houses now also serve as centers where people can access anti-corruption materials.
A coalition against corruption
The events in the Peace Houses have been attended by participants of different groups of the communities such as civil society, school representatives, local leaders and religious figures. As stated passionately by CEPAD's district liaison officer: "For the poor majority in Timor-Leste, they think about what they will eat tomorrow. For people who have some money, they think about where they will eat tomorrow. For the people at the top, who have money and power, they think about who they will eat tomorrow."
Representatives from the Ministry of Education, civil society organizations working on corruption and the President of the National Youth Council attended the events. Sra. Flavia Martins, Chief of Staff of the Vice-Minister of Higher Education expressed her gratitude and support for CEPAD's ongoing efforts: "This package is a great reference for any library and will directly and indirectly assist people to understand the meaning of corruption. The Ministry of Education will support CEPAD's great work into the future."
The events included discussions of how the civic education materials can be used most effectively in local communities. The educational material includes a children's story book, a CD, a television programme, a documentary film, and a brochure on corruption. The campaign is centered on the repercussions of corruption and ways to eradicate it. Each product in the package features different Timorese voices and is made for different groups within Timorese society, including children.
Building support
Through this initiative, CEPAD is raising public awareness about the causes and consequences of corruption. In collaboration with the Group Promoting Change, CEPAD is working with prominent individuals to initiate reform in state institutions with regards to corruption. The President of the Group Promoting Change, Sr. Leovigildo Hornai stated: "What is important is the conscience and moral courage of every individual to say 'I cannot, I will not and I don't allow any opportunity to commit corruption.' It is our mentality, our courage, our determination and our responsibility that we must strengthen."
Previously referred to as distritu manas, or “hot district”, due to violent confrontations that have frequently arisen from land disputes and conflicts between martial arts groups, the Ermera district of Timor-Leste now has its very own Peace House. This Peace House, which was officially inaugurated today in the presence of Timorese President Taur Matan Ruak and several members of the government, will provide a safe and neutral space for community dialogue and reconciliation.
Investing in local peace infrastructure
“The struggle to consolidate peace in Timor-Leste is not yet won. There is still a great need for the continuation of investment in local peace infrastructure countrywide, such as the Ermera Peace House,” shares João Boavida, Executive Director of Interpeace’s local partner, the Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD). During the last two years, CEPAD has already set up three Peace Houses in different districts throughout Timor-Leste with the support of the Australian organizations The Charitable Foundation and the Global Development Group. The discussion and conflict resolution solutions offered by the Peace Houses have already contributed to a reduction in the reported number of conflicts in Peace House areas.
Beyond simply providing a physical venue for peaceful discussion and community engagement, the Peace Houses also constitute a powerful and legitimate peace- and statebuilding mechanism, founded on local tradition. As João explains, “the Ermera Peace House, like its existing equivalents in the Baucau, Aileu and Bobonaro districts, will work to facilitate local community dialogue by building on what has already been accomplished. This makes for a relatively simple, yet highly effective solution for reducing the recurrence of conflict.”
Engaging all groups
Construction of the Ermera Peace House, which is centrally located in the town of Gleno next to the District Youth Centre, began on the symbolic date of 21 September 2012, the International Day of Peace. The idea of establishing Peace Houses initially arose from requests by local citizens, who wanted a community meeting place. Now it is hoped that this new Peace House will also encourage youth to become more involved in community dialogue.
For actors from all sectors of society ranging from individuals to interest groups, organizations and political parties, the existing Peace Houses have become hubs for peacebuilding activity and central venues for community meetings and events. These include reconciliation and mediation dialogues, but also training sessions, awareness campaigns or political debates between election candidates. Whatever the subject or the occasion, the Peace Houses allow all citizens to voice their opinion, on an equal footing, about the challenges the country is facing.
The inauguration ceremony of the Ermera Peace House was attended by several key stakeholders, including Timorese President Taur Matan Ruak, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Public Works, the Vice Minister of Social Solidarity, the Secretary of State for Local Development and the Secretary of State for Environment, demonstrating the strong government support for the project. Traditional leaders (known as lia nain) and veterans from the restistance were also among the attendance, as well as representatives of international and national civil society organizations, including Peder Pedersen and Deborah Killelea from The Charitable Foundation.
Last week, the Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD), Interpeace's partner in Timor-Leste, opened the doors to its fifth Peace House in the Manufahi municipality.
Over 400 guests attended the launch
Over 400 guests participated in the event, including Minister of Justice Ivo Valente, Vice President of the National Parliament Adérito Hugo da Costa, the President of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC-TL) Francisco Miranda Branco, village chiefs, traditional leaders and members of the community. The presence of the President of GOPAC-TL was particularly significant as previous consultations by CEPAD have revealed that fighting corruption is central to building lasting peace in Timor-Leste.
The high-level attendance once again confirms the important role that Peace Houses play in communities. They are reducing the gap between communities and their leaders, and foster greater understanding between members of communities from different geographical areas and backgrounds.
Adérito Hugo da Costa, Vice President of the National Parliament stressed the importance of this initiative: "Today, [...] on behalf of the state, I thank the local community for providing their land for the construction of the Peace House. [...] I [also] thank the non-governmental organization CEPAD for regarding peace as an important matter which contributes to our development. CEPAD deserves all the appreciation from the community and from the state, for its contribution."
A space to resolve conflict at the heart of Manufahi district
Adding to the previously established Peace Houses in Aileu, Bobonaro, Baucau and Ermera, the Manufahi Peace House offers a permanent space for the community to meet and discuss local issues and come up with solutions that contribute to sustainable peace. Local representatives, acting as community mediators, are in charge of facilitating the different activities in the Peace Houses.
"The fact that the Peace House is located at the centre of the Manufahi municipality, it means that the entire community is able to engage in dialogue when there are disputes. People have the opportunity to sit together and look for solutions," said Romeo Duarte, President of the Manufahi Peace House Steering Committee.
Peace Houses are based on a local tradition
Peace Houses, locally known as uma dame, are based on the traditional Timorese custom of 'rolling out the mat' (nahe-biti boot). This custom involves a meeting between community members to discuss and resolve disputes. Peace Houses are safe, neutral and community-owned venues that were constructed on land provided by the district and members of the communities participated in the construction. They act as a bridge between municipalities and Timor-Leste's capital city, Dili, by fostering debates on issues of national importance.
Peace Houses are also designed to host a range of complementary activities that bring people together and encourage civil society participation, including youth group meetings, workshops and language classes.
The Manufahi Peace House is the result of a partnership between CEPAD, the local community, Interpeace, and was funded through the Prime Minister's Office Civil Society Fund.
