Dili, June 27, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL), in partnership with OXFAM, the Former Youth Parliament Alumni of Timor-Leste (APFTL), Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), Timor-Leste Organic Fertiliser (TILOFE), Ermera White Mushroom Organic (EAMO), and the Ermera Youth Disability Forum (FJDE), held an activity to launch a media center for economic diversification. The activity took place on Wednesday at the HAK hall.
The President of the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL), Zeovonia Viera, stated that this activity was organized by AJTL in collaboration with their partners to launch the media center, which will strengthen media advocacy efforts and promote the participation of youth in Timor-Leste’s productive sectors.
“AJTL will continue to play a role in advocating through collaboration with partners during productive activities that contribute to national economic development using the productive sectors. Therefore, together with OXFAM, AJTL engages journalists to cover important topics, give voice and visibility to marginalized youth in rural areas, and contribute to state efforts in creating employment and encouraging active youth participation in local development,” said Zeovonia Viera.
The President further emphasized that the productive sector is a key factor in Timor-Leste’s future, helping to reduce dependency on petroleum revenues, which remains a significant concern for the country.
AJTL remains committed to advocacy alongside partners through activities that support the development of Timor-Leste’s economy, particularly in promoting local productivity.
On the same occasion, Director of the Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), Estevanos Coli, stated that MDI is taking part in this activity with AJTL members to disseminate information related to Timor-Leste’s development process.
“We, as Mata Dalan Institute, are participating in this activity in collaboration with journalists, especially AJTL members so that we can disseminate information concerning the development process in the country. The activity we are conducting is closely related to economic diversification and aims to promote youth and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for production,” said Estevanos Coli.
The MDI Director stressed that the goal of these production-related activities is to help citizens and communities build economic resilience, especially in terms of food security, so they can face day-to-day life challenges more sustainably.
Project Coordinator of “Hakfoun” from the Former Youth Parliament Alumni of Timor-Leste (APFTL), Domingos Belo M. De Jesus, shared that the Hakfoun project takes the opportunity to strengthen connections between youth groups and government members. Through this initiative, APFTL seeks to advocate for public policies that will create jobs and support rural entrepreneurship.
“In the Hakfoun Project, we aim to strengthen the ties between productive youth groups and government officials. This opportunity allows us to advocate for public policies that benefit young people and help communities gain access to employment and support entrepreneurship in Timor-Leste,” said Domingos Belo M. De Jesus.
He added that the Hakfoun Project consists of three activities, and the first has already been carried out: building capacity for agricultural coalition groups in two municipalities such as Ermera and RAEOA on how to intervene in the State General Budget cycle. Two more activities are scheduled to take place this Thursday and Friday at Fundação Oriente, where partner groups from all 12 municipalities, including RAEOA, will be invited.
He further explained that the Media Center program launch serves as a platform for journalists and all partners, including MDI, APFTL, TILOFE, EAMO, and FJDE to collaborate in disseminating information to the Timor-Leste government and National Parliament, in order to advocate for increased investment in the productive sector.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano