DILI, 31 March 2026 (TATOLI) – President and Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, on tuesday welcomed 14-year-old Vietnamese journalist and youth advocate, Johnny Thai, to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace for a roundtable discussion on youth diplomacy, democratic engagement, and peacebuilding, with a focus on the case of Vietnam.
The event brought together alumni of the Youth Parliament, students, government officials, and civil society representatives for a dialogue examining Vietnam’s experience in regional resilience and youth-led development. The event aimed to foster cross-generational discussion on the role of youth in shaping diplomatic relations, strengthening democratic participation, and advancing peacebuilding across Southeast Asia.
President Ramos-Horta praised Johnny Thai’s vision and courage, stating: “I am honored to welcome Johnny Thai to Timor-Leste—a young man whose courage, intellect, and dedication to peace embody the very spirit we must nurture in the next generation of leaders.”
At just 14, Thai has already shown the world that age is not a barrier to contributing to our shared humanity. His journey—from a young journalist in Vietnam to a participant in the Roundtable discussion Session—is a testament to what is possible when we trust and empower our youth.
“Johnny’s voice is a powerful reminder that the bridges of friendship and understanding between our nations and peoples are built not just by governments, but by individuals with the vision to see a better future,” Ramos-Horta added.
The roundtable discussion session featured a keynote address by Johnny Thai, a 14-year-old journalist and strategic commentator from Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam. A student at the prestigious Asian International School, he began his journalism career in 2022 and has contributed to leading Asian publications, including Asia Times, Asia Sentinel, the Youth Press Agency, and the Vientiane Times. His invitation to speak at the Presidential Palace marks the first time a youth journalist of his age has been accorded such an honor by President Jose Ramos-Horta.
In his speech, Johnny Thai emphasized the deep historical bond between Vietnam and Timor-Leste as resilient nations united by shared struggles for independence.
“it is a tremendous honor to stand in Dili – the heart and pulse of Timor-Leste, and to speak before a Leader whose courage and compassion have not only touched the hearts of the Timorese people but also moved the conscience of the world. The bond between Vietnam and Timor-Leste is not merely a diplomatic friendship – it is a harmony of spirit in the minds and hearts of two resilient nations. It is the empathy between two peoples who have endured foreign oppression and colonization, suffering much pain and loss, yet through steadfast struggle have reclaimed independence for today. This teaches our young generation that: peace is not a gift, but a responsibility. I call upon my generation to be the ‘Borderless Generation,’ to move beyond being successors of war to becoming architects of peace, using our courage to care and our energy to build bridges across our shared ASEAN home,” stated Johnny Thai, Vietnamese journalist and youth advocate.
The roundtable discussion session was followed by a question-and-answer session moderated by Salus, a member of Youth parliament. To translate vision into action, the youth journalist proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Youth Advisory Council to give young people a formal voice in government policy, alongside the creation of a dedicated Vietnam–Timor-Leste Friendship Association to drive cultural exchange and economic cooperation.
The event marked a significant moment in Timorese and Vietnamese youth engagement, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to investing in young leaders as drivers of sustainable peace.
TATOLI
