Dili, September 17, 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Timor-Leste NGO Forum (FONGTIL), with financial support from the Government of Timor-Leste through the Civil Society Support Office, held a National Seminar for civil society organizations from 12 municipalities, including the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA), with the theme “ASEAN Awareness on the Promotion of Human Rights, Promotion of Joint Advocacy and Development of Civil Society Organizations in Timor-Leste.”
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Support Office, Joaquim da Costa Freitas, said FONGTIL is a strategic partner of the IX Constitutional Government. Therefore, the Civil Society Support Office provides financial support to FONGTIL to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations in Timor-Leste.
He said the support also includes efforts to reactivate the CPLP Civil Society Forum and to facilitate the participation of Timor-Leste civil society organizations in regional events organized by ASEAN.
“FONGTIL is a strategic partner of the IX Constitutional Government. Therefore, the Civil Society Support Office provides financial support to strengthen civil society organizations in Timor-Leste. The Civil Society Support Office together with FONGTIL also supports efforts to reactivate the CPLP Civil Society Forum and facilitate civil society participation in events organized by ASEAN,” he told journalists at the UCT Hall, Balide, Wednesday (16/09).
He added that an ASEAN conference will be held in the Philippines in the coming months. Therefore, the seminar also invited international speakers, including Geral Joseph, who previously led the ASEAN People’s Forum, to share experiences on civil society participation in ASEAN mechanisms and events.
“This workshop invited speaker Geral Joseph, who previously led the ASEAN People’s Forum, to share experiences with members of civil society organizations in Timor-Leste, so they can be more active in events organized by ASEAN,” he said.
Joaquim da Costa Freitas also asked members of civil society organizations from the 12 municipalities including RAEOA to take advantage of this opportunity to increase their knowledge and capacity through the experience of the trainers.
He said Timor-Leste as a new member of ASEAN will face various opportunities and challenges. Therefore, civil society organizations need to prepare themselves and strengthen connections with organizations from ASEAN member countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.
On the other hand, the Executive Director of FONGTIL, Inocénsio de Jesus Xavier, said that the partnership between the Government and civil society is very important to ensure Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN, especially after Timor-Leste became a full member of the regional organization.
He said FONGTIL has experience working with ASEAN through civil society participation, including the ASEAN People’s Forum, which started in Timor-Leste in 2005.
“After last year Timor-Leste became a full member of ASEAN, we have a new vision for ASEAN. ASEAN has five central pillars, so we need to update and re-sensitize ourselves about ASEAN,” he said.
He explained that this seminar is important to prepare NGO members from the 12 municipalities including RAEOA, before they participate in the ASEAN community conference in the Philippines.
“Before we go there, we are conducting awareness-raising for NGO members who come from the 12 municipalities including RAEOA, so that when they return to their places, they can continue to share and disseminate information to the communities,” he said.
Inocénsio also said that in Dili, FONGTIL involves village chiefs because they are community leaders who can share relevant information about ASEAN with the community.
He said this information includes the pillars of security, economy, connectivity, human resources and other areas. However, in this seminar, FONGTIL gives specific attention to human rights issues.
“Human rights must be contemplated in ASEAN’s pillars and platforms. We don’t just talk about economy, security and connectivity, but we cannot ignore human rights. Human rights are very important,” he said.
He said that Timor-Leste, as a member of ASEAN, needs to promote the principles of human rights, mutual respect and protection of human rights in a regional context.
Reporting: Pedrito Dos Santos
Photo: Pedrito Dos Santos