Dili, July 17 2026 (Media Democracia) – Centro Nacional Chega (CNC) works together with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to carry out the digitalization of historical archives at CNC.
According to KOICA Director Youn Hwa Kang, this cooperation aims to transform the memory held in the archives and turn it into learning materials for students.
“The objective of this cooperation is part of the joint project between KOICA and UNESCO with Centro Nacional Chega to promote historical archives at Centro Chega so that they can be transformed into learning materials for the next generation of students and youth, so that they can know Timor’s history and also contribute to the country.” Said KOICA Director, Youn Hwa Kang, (15/07/2026)
She stated that this center can transform memory through historical archives by turning them into learning materials for students so that archive history can be transmitted to future generations.
On the other hand, the Executive Director of Centro Nacional Chega I.P, Hugo Maria Fernandes, added that this conference is just one part and that it has been 5 years since 2021 until now of support from UNESCO to Centro Chega to revitalize these histories.
“Every year we always hold an international conference like this. This is the first time we are holding it in Timor. Previously we held it in South Korea and Jakarta, but this year because the project is about to end we decided to hold it here. The focus with the theme is related to the truth and reconciliation commissions and how the memory of the truth can be used as a source for building peace.” He said.
He emphasized that for this international conference they invited speakers from countries that also had truth and reconciliation commissions such as South Korea, Indonesia, and also countries like Australia, Canada, and we can invite experts to share experiences on truth and reconciliation.
According to the II Vice-Prime Minister, Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs, Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, the international conference organized by UNESCO and CNC provides an important opportunity for all Timorese to reflect on the past.
“This conference provides an important opportunity to reflect on Timor-Leste’s experience so far. After more than two decades, it is clear that true reconciliation cannot be built without a strong commitment to truth, memory, and social justice. As we all know, after we gained independence we have a process of 4 important constructions: the construction of peace. From the construction of peace comes the importance of reconciliation, the construction of the state which we established in the constitution, the construction of the nation, and from the construction of character which continues to this day. The long hardship and struggle can be transformed into values for forming the character of future generations.” He concluded.
He stressed that the former Balide prison was once a symbol of systematic darkness and suffering, but through the visionary work of Centro Nacional Chega, this place has now been transformed into a national archive center that stores and preserves evidence from the Commission for Reception Truth and Reconciliation.
Report By: Trainees Joanita and Lourenço
Photo: Trainee Joanita