DILI, 28 february 2023 (TATOLI) – The United States launched the first-ever in-person Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) regional workshop in Timor-Leste in presence of President José Ramos-Horta, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley, Thai Ambassador Ekapol Poolpipat, and Margo Pogorzelski, Deputy Director for the Maritime Southeast Asia Office in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
The workshop convenes 50 young leaders from Timor-Leste and all 10 Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) member states for a four-day workshop to build the knowledge, skills, and networks to advance agribusiness and digital marketing.
“We are honored to host 50 YSEALI delegates for the first time in Timor-Leste. YSEALI represents some of the best and brightest young leaders from across Southeast Asia, and the United States is committed to supporting them as they continue to make a difference in tackling the critical challenges that will shape our future.” U.S. Chargé d’Affaires d’Affaires Tom Daley told reporters at Hotel Timor, Colmera, Dili.
Tom Daley emphasized the United States first included Timor-Leste in YSEALI in 2018, several years after the program began: “This decision reflected our recognition that the future of this country is linked with the future of the rest of Southeast Asia,”
“Since 2018, over 60 young Timorese leaders have participated in regional workshops like this one across ASEAN, and others have participated in exchanges in the United States. They are developing the knowledge, skills, and networks with their peers across ASEAN and the United States to make a positive difference,’’ he said
He added the lifelong personal connections and experiences they form across Southeast Asia are invaluable, particularly as Timor-Leste deepens its integration in the region, including through ASEAN. And United States looks forward to Timor-Leste welcoming many more young leaders from across Southeast Asia in the years ahead.
Margo Pogorzelski, Deputy Director for the Maritime Southeast Asia Office in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State said YSEALI recognizes Timor-Leste as a critical partner in Southeast Asia and reflects the United States’ support for Timor-Leste’s continued integration into the region, including through ASEAN
“YSEALI delegates demonstrate the understanding that challenges that cross national boundaries require regional cooperation and collective solutions. This workshop is one example of the United States’ commitment to supporting efforts to identify new, diversified markets and build food systems that are inclusive, resilient, productive, and sustainable,” said Margo Pogorzelski.
At the same place the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta said this YSEALI workshop is very important for the Timorese youth to learn more experience from the ASEAN countries.
President Horta added YSEALI had established several years ago, and currently, there are 60 Timorese young people had benefited from this initiative program, therefore Timorese young people should continue to enhance the friendship and fraternity to the youth of ASEAN in learning the new technology of agriculture and marketing to implement in Timor – Leste.
“During the four-day workshop, delegates will learn more about regional food systems, analyze emerging business opportunities, leverage new digital tools for agribusinesses, create a strategy and business plan to grow agribusiness exports, and pitch for seed funding to advance their business plans. They will also conduct a site visit to Cooperative Café Timor (CCT), the largest cooperative in Timor-Leste, where they will learn more about value chains and engage with local farmers and entrepreneurs. The regional workshop was funded by the United States and implemented by the AGREA Foundation.”
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia launched in 2013.
Through a variety of programs and engagements, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding, YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture an ASEAN community. YSEALI focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region, including civic engagement, economic empowerment, social entrepreneurship, education, and environmental issues.
In recognition that the future of Timor-Leste is linked with the future of Southeast Asia, the United States first included Timor-Leste in YSEALI in 2018. Since then, over 60 young Timorese leaders have had the opportunity to participate in regional workshops across Southeast Asia, while others have participated in academic and professional exchanges in the United States.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
