Stronger Villages, Stronger Partnerships: Australian Parliamentarians and NGO Leaders Witness Development Progress in Dare
DÍLI, 30 July 2026 (TATOLI) — From stronger communities to improved local services, a delegation of Australian parliamentarians and NGO leaders visited Dare on Monday, 27 July 2026, to see first-hand how the enduring partnership between Australia and Timor-Leste is supporting community development through the Partnership for Strengthening Village Development and Municipal Administration (PARTISIPA) program.
PARTISIPA is Australia’s flagship sub-national governance and resilience program in Timor-Leste. It works primarily with the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of Public Works, municipalities, and communities to strengthen national systems, improve municipal governance, and deliver sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The visit was part of the Australian Regional Leadership Initiative (ARLI), which brings together Australian leaders to learn about Australia’s cooperation with partner countries across areas including health, education, climate resilience, economic development, water security, and community infrastructure.
The delegation, comprising Australian parliamentarians Alison Penfold MP, Louise Miller-Frost MP, David Moncrieff MP, Ben Small MP, and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, along with the Chief Executives of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and Save the Children Australia, visited Dare to understand how Australia-supported initiatives are contributing to improved services and stronger communities in Timor-Leste.
Hosted by municipal authorities, community leader and community members, the delegation learned about the impact of community-led development initiatives supported through PARTISIPA, including local water and road infrastructure projects implemented under Timor-Leste’s National Program for Village Development (PNDS).
During discussions with the Xefe Aldeia and community members, the delegation heard how improved access to safe water and better rural roads are helping communities address everyday challenges, strengthen livelihoods, and improve connections between villages and essential services.
The visit also highlighted the importance of long-standing Australia–Timor-Leste connections and the role of development cooperation in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries.
As part of their wider visit to Timor-Leste from 26 July to 1 August, the delegation will also visit initiatives supported by the Global Fund, including Timor-Leste’s achievement in eliminating malaria, and explore historic sites connected to the Balibo Five journalists.
The Australian Regional Leadership Initiative is a Save the Children Australia initiative funded by the Gates Foundation. Since 2015, Save the Children has facilitated 21 delegations through ARLI to countries across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East to strengthen understanding of global development challenges and partnerships.
TATOLI
