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

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:

Mr. Apolinario Magno, Director General, Ministry of Education and Secretariat of TL National Commission (email: apolimagno@gmail.com ; mobile: 7363583)

Mr. Remegio Alquitran, PIU Manager and UNESCO Liaison for TL National Commission (email: r.alquitran@unesco.org ; mobile: 7240944)

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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: apolimagno@gmail.com ; mobile: 7363583)

2. Mr. Remegio Alquitran, PIU Manager and UNESCO Liaison for TL National Commission (email: r.alquitran@unesco.org ; mobile: 7240944)