International Youth Conference, Timor Leste
A successful international Youth Conference with 280 participants from youth organizations representing 23 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin-America and North-America took place in Dili from 12-15 November 2008.
The conference was launched on 12 November with a series of activities commemorating the youth that died in Santa Cruz in 1991. November 12 became a turning point in the struggle for independence and the date has since become the official national youth day in Timor-Leste.
Identity and nation building were the thematic themes of the conference. Useful workshops and seminars were arranged providing participants a unique opportunity to meet and exchange views with other youths from around the world. The conference was successful in facilitating a lively debate among youths on issues related to globalization, gender, health, education, environment and democratic inclusion and participation. The debates resulted in the articulation of a set of recommendations to decision makers calling for improved policies related to youth issues. President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao participated in parts of the conference and pledged to carefully consider the recommendations.
In addition Norwegian special envoy Gunnar Stålsett made a key-not address stressing the importance of continued dialogue toward peace and reconciliation and to include the youth in the nation-building process. Norway provided financial support to the conference that was entirely organized and managed by the Timor-Leste authorities.