DILI, 09 setember 2024 (TATOLI) – Pope Francis, in his meeting with members of the government, representatives of civil society, the diplomatic corps and the private sector, called for the strengthening of public instructions in the country in order to better serve the interests of the Timorese people.
The Pope’s appeal was timely, given that Timor-Leste, one of the youngest countries in the world, continues to be weak in the mangement of its civil and public institutions.
Pope Francis’ statement was therefore a reminder to Timorese leaders to improve the institutional capacity of the country, which is preparing the nations to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“I urge you to continue with renewed confidence in the prudent establishment and consolidation of the institutions of your Republic, so that the citizens can feel that they are truly represented and that the institutions are properly equipped to serve the people of Timor-Leste,” Pope Francis said at the Presidential Palace, on monday.
In 2006, Timor-Leste experienced a political crisis due to weak institutional capacity, however, Timor-Leste quickly recovered from the crisis and is now moving forward to improve institutional management in preparation for becoming the 11th member of ASEAN.
Since then, the country has made significant progress in consolidating its democracy and is currently considered the most democratic country in ASEAN and the region.
The Timorese government is currently working on consolidating public institutions in order to address various issues facing the country, including poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, etc.
In his speech, President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta said Timor-Leste is now working on We fight against multidimensional poverty, hunger and food insecurity, maternal and child malnutrition, violence of all kinds, different forms of exclusion and social marginalization.
The Head of State said, “Newborns, children and young people have the right to a better world, where they can develop their potential in a peaceful, dignified and balanced family environment,” however all this can be achieved by strengthening public institutions, which Pope Francis called for the improvement of countries’ institutions.
Echoing Horta’s statement on the government’s efforts to resolve the issue of poverty in the country, Pope Francis also raised the issue of poverty that is now common in many parts of the world, saying “the subsequent need for collective and wide-ranging action involving manifold efforts and leaders from all sectors – civil, religious and social – to remedy it and to offer viable alternatives to emigration.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
