Dili, May 15, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak shared his experiences of the national struggle with students of the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) during a national seminar themed “National Reflection on the 50th Anniversary of Timor-Leste’s Unilateral Proclamation of Independence”. The seminar was held at the FCS Auditorium in Caicoli, Dili.
In an interview, former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak said that UNTL organized the seminar as a reflection on the 50th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s unilateral proclamation of independence and invited him to deliver a speech to the university students.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Rector and the entire university team for the invitation extended to me by the National University of Timor-Leste, to come and share a bit of my experience during the struggle in the past and reflect on the 50 years since Timor-Leste’s unilateral declaration of independence to the present day,” said former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.
He further took the opportunity to congratulate all students as well as the broader celebration of UNTL’s anniversary, and also extended congratulations to the people of Timor-Leste on the 50th anniversary.
“In my remarks today, I spoke mainly about the history we experienced during the Indonesian period and also briefly discussed a book I wrote in 1996 about the struggle. I encourage students to keep reading because the future lies in the hands of the youth,” added the former Prime Minister.
His message to university students was to keep learning and reading in order to develop their capacity and become knowledgeable individuals within the community.
Meanwhile, UNTL Rector João Soares Martins explained that the seminar was an initiative that started in recent months, knowing that this year Timor-Leste celebrates the 50th anniversary of its unilateral proclamation of independence, which originally took place on 28 November 1975.
“Today we invited former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to share his experiences of the struggle with university students and lecturers from all departments under the Faculty of Social Sciences,” said Rector João Soares Martins.
He added that the university had taken the initiative to invite all key historical leaders who played roles in the proclamation and led the struggle from 1975 through the resistance phase and the 30 August 1999 referendum to the restoration of independence. These leaders are invited to share their perspectives and vision for Timor-Leste.
“The university is inviting them to share their experiences of the struggle, just like today when former Prime Minister Taur shared his story and presented the book he wrote, which also covers the Indonesian battle phase and the guerrilla war through to the referendum,” he explained.
He emphasized the importance of contextualizing the value of the proclamation in the post-independence era and what needs to be properly considered so that the younger generation can carry the legacy forward.
“This activity involves inviting key figures such as former Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, and the President of the Republic. Today, the National University of Timor-Leste also invited former Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak to share his experiences from the time of the struggle,” he stressed.
He further explained that the seminar organized by UNTL aims to invite historical leaders to share their experiences of the struggle during the Indonesian occupation up to the achievement of independence, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Timor-Leste’s unilateral proclamation of independence. The seminar was attended by university students, lecturers, and the entire structure of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Domingas