DILI, 18 april 2024 (TATOLI) – ChildFund Timor-Leste is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Education. This MoU agreement solidifies the commitment of both parties to collaborate closely in advancing education and child welfare initiatives in Timor-Leste.
The MoU, signed by the Country Director of ChildFund Timor-Leste, Alzira dos Reis, and the Director General for Politics, Planning, Inclusion, and Informatics, Odilia Ung Martins, establishes a framework for cooperation directed towards enhancing equitable educational opportunities and ensuring the well-being of children and youth across the nation.
Under the terms of the MoU, ChildFund Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Education will work together to:
- Foster and strengthen Equitable Access to Quality Education: ChildFund Timor-Leste will support initiatives targeted at improving access to quality education for children and youth. This includes initiatives to improve school infrastructure, increase training opportunities for educators and facilitators, and enhance learning outcomes.
- Empower Educators and facilitators through Training and Professional Growth: The partnership will also focus on professional development of educational personnel through training programs, and professional development activities and equipping them with the skills and resources needed to deliver effective and inclusive education to children.
- Integrate Child Protection and Child Welfare: ChildFund Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Education will collaborate to integrate child welfare and protection principles into educational policies and programs. This includes measures to promote child safety, prevent abuse and exploitation, and create a supportive and nurturing learning environment for all children.
- Support Youth participation and Empowerment: The MoU emphasizes the importance of youth empowerment and participation in decision-making processes related to education, child welfare and peace building. ChildFund Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Education will work together to create opportunities for youth leadership development, civic engagement, and skills-building initiatives.
- Advocate for Children’s Right: ChildFund Timor-Leste is committed to advocate for the rights of children, including their right to education, protection, and participation, in line with international conventions and national laws. This includes raising awareness about child rights issues, promoting policy reforms, and strengthening institutional mechanisms for child protection and welfare.
“I believe that through our efforts and commitment, we can achieve even more and continue to develop a strong relationship and friendship between the Ministry of Education and ChildFund Timor-Leste with a vision for the children and youth of Timor-Leste, which can be summarized as I am Safe, I Contribute, I have a Future” said Alzira.
The MoU will further strengthen our efforts to assist the children, support the teachers, support the parents of the students so that we all contribute to the children’s education. We hope to work together to provide better support and improve the education sector, and enhance children; involvement in education said Odilia.
ChildFund Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste look forward to the potential of this collaboration, are committed to working together to achieve positive outcomes for children and youth in Timor-Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
