DILI, 22 november 2021 ( TATOLI)- Timor – Leste and the Korean International Corporation Agency (KOICA) have signed the Project on the “Digitalization of Chega National Center for Conflict Reconciliation and Peace Building in Timor – Leste”.
The Minister of Finance Rui Agusto Gomes said the signing of the MoU marked the important work that has been done since the Center of National Chega (CNC) was established in 2016 through the decree-law No 48/2016 when Rui Maria de Araujo was the Prime Minister.
The Government of Timor-Leste and KOICA have signed a $5 million subvention agreement to strengthen Timor-Leste’s responsibility and capacity to build a better future on the aspects of peace, justice, and prosperity.
This subvention will support the Government’s efforts to develop a Digital Archive System in CNC to develop the quality of history and Peace Building Education to strengthen the capabilities and work of partners in conflict reconciliation and Peace Building.
“Digitization is a key, at this moment the Government has taken the initiative to connect Fiber Optics from Darwin to Dili, Chega’s digitalization will have the potential to realize the moral mandate to our nation and demonstrated the big compromises toward the Peace and Reconciliation, respecting human rights’ principles and human ‘s dignity not only domestically but also regionally and globally,” Rui Agusto Gomes told reporters at CNC’s office, Bayside, Dili.
The Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Timor – Leste Jeong Ho Kim said South Korea and Timor – Leste have the same historical experience from the occupation period to independence until the modern era.
“To recover the destruction and wounds from the period of conflict, We need to think the history and study the history of violence against the human rights and justice. Today we are officially stepping forward to light up the dark history of Timor -Leste. Through this financial support We will encourage Timorese people to instill a worthy historical memory and awareness,” said Kim.
At the same place, the Executive Director of CNC Hugo Maria Fernandes thanked the Government of South Korea through KOICA and the Government of Timor – Leste through the Ministry of Finance who had trusted CNC to be responsible for these projects.
Fernandes explained that the $ 5 million budget from KOICA will be used for three-component projects such as Digitalization of Archive Center and will build the Chega Library, Develop Curriculum in Elementary and Secondary Schools, develop modules for teachers and provide training to teachers to teach history in Elementary and Secondary schools and Establish a Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation in Timor – Leste.
These projects will be started in early 2022 and will finish in the middle of 2025 for 3 years and 6 months.
These projects were officially signed by the Minister of Finance of Timor – Leste Rui Agusto Gomes and the Director of KOICA in Timor – Leste Aung Chang.
Journalist Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B
