Inauguration of UNESCO Timor-Leste’s National Commission launches 3-day public cultural and educational fair

[Vincent]

Press Release

Inauguration of UNESCO Timor-Leste’s National Commission launches 3-
day public cultural and educational fair


Dili, April 21, 2009 – “This week’s inauguration of the UNESCO
National Commission will be an historic moment in the life of Timor-
Leste as a Member State of the United Nations,” said Kirsty Sword
Gusmão, who will the Chairperson of new National Commission to be
launched at Dili’s Mercado Lama on 23 April.

“The National Commission of United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) will take a lead role in supporting
the Government to advance goals in science, education and culture in
Timor-Leste,” said Kirsty Sword Gusmão. Ms Sword Gusmão highlighted
the new Commission’s priorities, including:
· early childhood education, with a focus on involving parents
in this process;
· curricula development for the nine years of basic education,
focusing on scientific education including professional development
for teachers and the development of science laboratory facilities;
· language policy and cultural development;
· cultural and educational institutional development, in
particular establishing a national library and museum, national music
and fine arts schools and regional cultural centres.
· Preservation of natural and cultural heritage of Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste announced its membership of UNESCO in 2003, though
subsequent political upheavals delayed the formation of the National
Cmmission. In December last year the 20 members of the National
Commission were named at the 2nd National Education Congress,
representing civil society groups, religious denominations, Government
and the National Parliament.


Thursday’s inauguration ceremony will take place at the beginning of a
3-day science and cultural festival at the Mercado Lama Exhibition
Centre in Dili.

“We are holding a Tetum book fair during the three days, showcasing a
wide selection of books published in Tetum over the last ten years,”
said Sword Gusmão. “Hundreds of students are expected to visit the
fair and take part in educational activities including science
displays, a dinosaur exhibition, cultural events and workshops. We
welcome all members of the public to visit the fair and enjoy this
celebration of culture and learning.”

For details, contact:
1. Mr. Apolinario Magno, Director General, Ministry of
Education and Secretariat of TL National Commission (email:
apoli...@gmail.com ; mobile: 7363583)
2. Mr. Remegio Alquitran, PIU Manager and UNESCO Liaison for
TL National Commission (email: r.alq...@unesco.org ; mobile:
7240944)

*******

Inagurasaun ba Komisaun Nasionál UNESCO Timor-Leste nian
Lansamentu feira ba públiku durante loron 3 kona-ba
kultura no edukasaun


Dili, loron 21, fulan-Abril,tinan 2009 – “Semana ida-ne’e inagurasaun
ba Komisaun Nasionál sei sai nu’udar momentu istórika ida iha Timor-
Leste nia moris nu’udar Estadu Membru ida Nasoins Unidas nian”, Kristy
Sword Gusmão hateten, ne’ebé nia maka sei sai Prezidente Komisaun
Nasionál foun ne’ebé sei hala’o iha Merkadu Lama, Dili iha loron 23,
fulan-Abril.

“Komisaun Nasionál hosi Organizasaun Nasoins Unidas nian kona-ba
Edukasaun, Siénsia no Kultura (UNESCO) sei kaer papél lideransa ida
hodi apoia governu atu dezenvolve objetivu iha siénsia, edukasaun no
kultura iha Timor-Leste”, Kristy Sword Gusmão hateten. Sra. Sword
Gusmão subliña prioridade foun Komisaun nian, inklui:
· Edukasaun ba labarik sira hosi tinan ki’ik, hodi foka ba
envolvimentu inan-aman sira iha prosesu ida-ne’e
· Dezenvolvimentu kurríkulu ba tinan 9 ensinu báziku nian,
hodi foka ba edukasaun sientífiku inklui dezenvolvimentu profisionál
ba profesór sira no dezenvolvimentu ba fasilidade laboratóriu siénsia
nian.
· Polítika ba lian no dezenvolvimentu kulturál .
· Dezenvolvimentu instituisaun edukasionál no kulturál, liuliu
ba estabelesimentu biblioteka no muzeu nasionál, múzika nasionál no
eskola belas-artes no sentru kultura rejionál nian.
· Prezervasaun ba patrimóniu naturál no kulturál Timor-Leste
nian.

Timor-Leste anunsia tama ba membru UNESCO iha 2003, maske tuirmai
distúrbiu polítiku atraza tiha formasaun ba Komisaun Nasionál ne’e.
Iha fulan-Dezembru tinan kotuk membru na’in-20 hosi Komisaun Nasionál
ne’ebé hili iha Kongresu Edukasaun Nasionál nian ba daruak, hodi
reprezenta grupu sosiedade sivíl sira, denominasaun relijiozu sira,
Governu no Parlamentu Nasionál.

Serimónia inagurasaun ba Kinta-feira nian sei hala’o iha inísiu
festivál kultura no siénsia ba loron 3 nian iha Sentru Ezibisaun
Merkadu Lama, Dili.

“Ami prepara mós feira livru-Tetun durante loron tolu, ami aprezenta
selesaun oioin kona-ba livru sira ne’ebé publika iha Tetun durante
tinan sanulu liubá,” Sword Gusmão hateten. “Espera katak estudante
barak maka sei vizita feira ne’e no hola parte iha atividade edukativu
sira inklui ezibisaun kona-ba siénsia, ezibisaun dinosauru, eventu
kulturál no workshop. Ami kongratula membru komunidade tomak atu mai
vizita feira ne’e no atu diverte selebrasaun ba kultura no
aprendizajen ida-ne’e.

For details, contact:
1. Mr. Apolinario Magno, Director General, Ministry of
Education and Secretariat of TL National Commission (email:
apoli...@gmail.com ; mobile: 7363583)
2. Mr. Remegio Alquitran, PIU Manager and UNESCO Liaison for
TL National Commission (email: r.alq...@unesco.org ; mobile:
7240944)