DILI, 3 May 2021 (TATOLI)- The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Timor-Leste, Andrew Jacob, and the Representative of The United Nation Development Program (UNDP), Tuyal Altangerel hand over Uma Komunikasaun Located within Parliament premises to the President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes, today Monday.
The President of the National Parliament, Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes, said that this program started in September 2020, from the cooperation between Parliament, UNDP, and EU.
“Today, the EU and UNDP, together with me on behalf of the national parliament conducted an inauguration and at the same time on behalf of the national parliament I would like to thank the partners, for their contribution to building this communication house,” President Lopes said.
According to Mr. Lopes, this communication house will be opened for journalists from parliament and journalists from public and private media who carry out their duties in the national parliament.
“This is a place for journalists. since the covid situation does not allow us to hold an inauguration event but a symbolic inauguration is carried out today together with world media day, ” he said.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste, Andrew Jacob, proud because the communication house has been established and officially inaugurated to facilitate all journalists who cover in Parliament.
“This house is also to provide the contact between the national parliament and everyone in Timor-Leste because journalists’ work is important on the concept of development, “he said.
Following the press release document from the EU, explained the European Union and the UNDP, in partnership with the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, has built a new media center “Uma Komunikasaun – House of Communication”
The construction of the media center is part of a USD 4 million Decentralisation project which, among others, aims at boosting the digital transformation of the Parliament bringing the lawmakers closer to the citizens.
World Press Freedom Day is celebrating the important role played by journalists and is a reminder to governments across the globe of the need to promote access to quality information as a basic human right.
On this important day, the European Union, in partnership with UNDP, is pleased to hand over to the National Parliament a new, fully equipped, center for the media, including video and IT equipment. Uma Komunikasaun will provide state-of-the-art working conditions to media professionals covering parliamentary affairs. Located within Parliament premises,
will allow Parliament to become more open, transparent, and accessible for the Timorese citizens.
Equipped with a pressroom, a space for press conferences, and a radio studio, the building will allow journalists to provide accurate and timely information, thereby promoting a better understanding of parliamentary roles and functions.
The Ambassador of the EU, Andrew Jacob also hand over a camera to the Secretary-General of Parliament Nasional, Adelino Afonso de Jesus.
The construction of Uma Komunikasaun is part of a UNDP’s Strengthening Integral Local Development Project to support decentralisation in Timor-Leste and the “Programa para a Consolidação da Governação Económica e Sistemas de Gestão das Finanças Públicas nos PALOP-TL – Fase II, both co-financed by the European Union and UNDP.
Journalist:Evaristo Soares Martins
Editor: Cancio Ximenes
