Dili, February 14, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Alumni of the Timor-Leste Parliamentary Youth (APFTL) through the XXI Women’s Youth Cycle (FFS) program in collaboration with Oxfam in Timor-Leste held a dialogue activity on climate change and finance for a sustainable future. This activity was held on Thursday.
Coordinator of FFS XXI and APFTL Alumni, Elizabet Rita Maria Belo said that APFTL through the XXI Women’s Youth Cycle (FFS) program in collaboration with Oxfam in Timor Leste held an environmental dialogue on climate change and climate finance with the general theme, “Finance for a Sustainable Future, Strengthening Climate Action through Inducive Dialogue”
“The purpose of this activity is to create a public space through open dialogue with members of government, project implementers, civil society, environmental activists, women and vulnerable groups to talk about climate change and finance issues for a sustainable future.” Said FFS XXI Coordinator and APFTL Alumni, Elizabet Rita Maria Belo
She continued, this dialogue activity is to get closer to young people who feel affected by climate change, so that they can find out information that is conveyed directly by program implementers and project implementers, as well as find out information from the government related to climate finance issues that have been carried out in the country.
“This dialogue is planned to be held for two days, but the speakers are different to share information. This activity is carried out twice by involving government elements and also providing consideration to the APFTL invitation letter so that they can become speakers in this dialogue activity,” She said.
She added, related to the data that cannot be accessed, because some of the data from the program owner is working with JICA and UNDP when asked about climate change financial data, some of it is confidential so the public cannot access it.
“An alternative way to find out the impact of climate change on communities is to conduct an APFTL case study with Oxfam who conducted a case study on this issue in a highly vulnerable municipality. This case study was just conducted last month and the report is still in the preparation stage in the short term will launch a report site on the affected places and some data to be accessible to the public.” She said.
She emphasized that the case study report as a recommendation will be submitted to the implementers and will also be submitted to the government which as the role of the executive program related to climate change finance.
Climate change is not a new thing because most of us are victims of this climate change, but we cannot be said to be victims and we must also be aware that we are also the cause of climate change. A simple example is that we make deforestation as one of the causes of climate change impacts in this country.
Oxfam’s representative in Timor-Leste, Jude Pereira said that he came from a small country called Hierarchy, they also face the same impacts as Timor-Leste, which is the impacts of climate change.
“Climate change is an issue of common concern, so our collaboration is very important, because through collaborative work together we can overcome or reduce the impact of climate change,” said Oxfam’s representative in Timor Leste, Jude Pereira.
He continued, so far the government has done very well in dealing with climate change issues when the impacts of climate change occur.
“The impact of Climate Change, the impact of Climate Change today is the damage in Timor-Leste continues like the river destroying houses, some people died, some animals died, that is the impact of Climate Change. So, this activity is very important for cooperation and being responsible for this problem.” Said Oxfam Representative
He emphasized that climate finance is very important, how countries like Timor-Leste should use funds to properly address the impacts of climate change. Thus, it can increase the number of women and vulnerable populations facing climate change. He also expressed his gratitude to APFTL for organizing this event and also the government of Timor-Leste.
On the other hand, Secretary of State for Equality (S.E.I), Elvina Sousa Carvalho said that as a member of the Government she is very proud to participate in an event organized by FFS that pays attention to the issue of climate change. Having an interest in gathering public insight on climate change and mitigation of climate change.
“Climate change as a reality that we face, because it has happened we cannot run away from it. So, how can we together prevent and also mitigate the existing climate change.” Said the Secretary of State for Equality (S.E.I), Elvina Sousa Carvalho
She continued, as a member of the government would like to express appreciation to APFTL, although they are still young but they have put in all their energy and great attention for the common interest. And climate change as a real situation today has occurred and has an impact on people’s lives.
“Ask the young generation to invest their intelligence and knowledge to make a good contribution to national development. You must prepare yourselves and invest your knowledge and skills, because development requires the contribution of all of us, both men and women,” She said.
She expressed her appreciation to the APFTL youth, the Youth Parliament and also the XXI cycle women’s group who together with Oxfam and other partners continue to promote this activity. Therefore, through this dialogue, it can increase public insight and change opinions regarding the impact of climate change that always occurs in this country.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Picture by : Nelfiano