DILI, 13 august 2021 (TATOLI) – Secretary of State for Youth and Sport (SEJD), Abrão Saldanha, congratulates youth in Timor-Leste, particularly the youth in Manufahi, on International Youth Day.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to congratulate the Timorese youth, especially the youth in Manufahi municipality. This year the UN recognizes the role of the youth on the national development and had decided on an important topic to celebrate International Youth Day, with the theme: ‘Transforming food Systems, Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’”, Saldanha made the comments, during the celebration of the International Youth Day, in Manufahi municipality, on Thursday.
He said the International Youth Day was celebrated around the globe, including Timor-Leste, to encourage and motivate young people to participate in the development of the nation: “In Timor-Leste, we have come up with the topic ‘Promoting local food and nutrient-dense food’”.
“Therefore, during my two-day visit in Manufahi, I visited many young entrepreneurs, who are working in developing our productive sectors. I have seen many young entrepreneurs initiated some brilliant ideas by creating their poultry farms, horticulture, cattle farms, and other local food” said Saldanha.
Saldanha also encouraged young people to keep up their local food cuisine: “I am delighted to see that many young men are involved in today’s Local Food Cuisine Competition.”
“Nowadays, you can see young people in Dili are working as cooks and servants in hotels, which considered as domestic work in the past. As young people, we must find solutions for our problems, such as self-employed, and also find solutions to any problems facing the communities,” said Saldanha.
“In Ermera, a young man had employed more than 120 employees and every month, his team brings up to US$400.000 from other countries. It shows that young people had the energy to bring solutions to our problems.”
Saldanha call on young people across the country to find and bring solutions for every problem facing their communities.
At the same place the President of Authority of the Manufahi Municipality, Arantes Isaac Sarmento said commemorating the International Youth Day is important to promote the young people.
“I call on young people to not commit any undesirable act. Thus, with the celebration of this special day, we want to promote the engagement and participation of youth in the national development of the nation. Youth in development is the agent of change,” said Sarmento.
In 1999, the United Nations decided to commemorate International Youth Day every year on August 12. It was based on a recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon to the UN General Assembly.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
