DILI, 08 April 2025 (TATOLI) – Recently, seven youth-focused Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Liquiça participated in a three-day capacity-strengthening training on advocacy and child safeguarding in Liquiça Administrative post. Organized by ChildFund Timor-Leste, this training was part of the European Union-funded Strengthening Social Cohesion Project, an initiative dedicated to promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and child protection in Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
The training aimed to equip youth-led organizations with essential skills in advocacy and child safeguarding to enable them to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and child protection efforts in their communities.
More than twenty participants attended the training, representing seven youth-focused CSOs: Centro Juventude Liquiça, Associação dos Estudantes do Município Liquiça (ASSEMUL), Associação Centro Juventude Liquiça (ACJL, Radio Comunidade Liquiçá, Fundasaun Moris Foun (FMF), Cruz Vermelha Timor-Leste (CVTL), Maumeta Suco Council, and Unidade Centro Formação Juventude (UCFJ). The three-day program included two full days dedicated to advocacy training, followed by a one-day refresher on child safeguarding.
Throughout the sessions, participants explored fundamental advocacy concepts, including how to develop formal advocacy messages, engage meaningfully with local authorities and relevant stakeholders, and implement evidence-based approaches to support youth representation in decision-making processes. The training emphasized the value of using credible data and research to support advocacy campaigns and policy recommendations. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring youth-focused CSOs have the institutional support and resources necessary to sustain their advocacy efforts.
In addition, the training provided a refresher on child safeguarding—an essential component in creating safe and supportive environments for children. Participants deepened their understanding of child protection principles, reporting mechanisms, and the critical role organizations play in preventing harm to children. The sessions encouraged youth-focused CSOs to integrate safeguarding measures into their programs, reinforcing their responsibility to uphold child rights and safety.
By the end of the training, participants had strengthened their advocacy skills, enhanced their ability to engage in effective lobbying and negotiation, and reaffirmed their commitment to child safeguarding within their organizations.
TATOLI
