Dili, December 13, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Centro Nacional Chega (CNC) together with the Ministry of Education held a Education Forum with the theme, “Quality Education for Sustainable Peace in Timor-Leste” supported by UNESCO and KOICA, at the same time also launching a history guidebook for students in cycles 1, 2 and 3.
In his speech, the Director of UNESCO Jakarta, Maki Katsuno Hayashikawa said that it was an honor for UNESCO to provide support to Timor-Leste through education, history and peace initiatives, in order to build peace through education.
“Our partnerships with the Government, the Ministry of Education, and the Centro Nacional Chega have worked to enhance the capacities of history teachers and to foster a sense of shared heritage, empathy, and critical reflection among students. History education is not only about learning the past but is also a vital means of building a cohesive, inclusive identity.” Said the Director of UNESCO Jakarta at Elisabeth hall, City8, Dili.
He said, when the team gathered with the theme Quality Education for Sustainable Peace in Timor-Leste, received a called to reflect on the progress that had been achieved.
Nia dehan bainhira ekipa halibur ho tema kona-ba Edukasaun ho Kualidade ba Dame Sustentável iha Timor-Leste, hetan bolun atu reflete kona-ba progresu sira.
“Identify key challenges, and chart a visionary path for transformative education. Guided by global insights and the vision articulated by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the Transformative Education Summit, we must consider essential questions: What knowledge and values will prepare young Timorese for the next decades?” he said
He continued, how can we make education relevant to their lives and aspirations? And, most importantly, how can education continue to serve as a foundation for peace, both within Timor-Leste and in the global community.
He added more that because the true wealth of this nation lies in its people. Therefore, as we work together to build a strong, participatory society, let us remember that each step we take to strengthen education, health, and well-being will ultimately sustain peace and empower all citizens to thrive.
As CNC Executive Director, Hugo Maria Fernandes said that four years ago CNC together with UNESCO and the Ministry of Education developed the CNC Digitalization project for Conflict Reconciliation and Peace Building.
“This year received financial support from the People and Government of South Korea. On behalf of Centro Chega I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the generosity of the South Korean Government through KOICA and UNESCO and the Ministry of Education for this extraordinary realization program.” CNC Executive Director said
He said, through the CNC network project, he had the opportunity to work with UNESCO and the Ministry of Education to see the challenges of achieving Peace and Sustainable Education in Timor-Leste.
“The intervention of this project seeks to respond to pedagogical and didactic issues, through training for teachers, student exchanges in South Korea, Cambodia and Indonesia, and the preparation of Modules for teachers on the subjects of History and Human Rights.” He said.
Therefore, the main objective of this forum is to discuss the progress and challenges of the education system with the idea that transformative education is education that is truly relevant, scalable, resilient and responsive as well as aspirational for students.
Centro Nacional Chega recognizes the important role of education in nation construction and the training of Timor Leste’s National identity, an identity that must be built from our history, democracy, justice and peace.
On this occasion, the Minister of Education, Dulce de Jesus said that today’s activity, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with CNC through the support of UNESCO and the South Korean Government (KOICA) held a transformative education forum.
“The title is ‘Quality Education for Peace and Sustainability in the world especially in Timor-Leste’ also related to history subjects. Through this team KOICA provides support to the Ministry of Education and Chega to write history guidebooks for students in cycle 3 as well as cycles 1 and 2, so this is very important because for the first time we have history guidebooks and teacher guidebooks,” the Education Minister told reporters at City8 on Thursday.
She informed that CNC writes history in books and provides training for teachers, with the hope that in the future students will have good books.
“We believe that our students next year will have better books with good content and more good things written by Timorese, Timorese youth, Timorese experts who write these books for Timorese students.” She informed
She emphasized that books written by East Timorese people make people know themselves and their past and present history well.
“Learning from past experiences and also this important forum talks about sustainability for peace, in this lesson teaches students how to be agents who instill peace and love in this country, because we have a good and bad past history, but this history book helps us to be someone who uses critical thinking to see past history.” She added.
Therefore, through this book, a sense of calm, love and mutual respect can be created if everyone knows the history of their own nation. If society knows the history of other nations, then the society will not have a strong identity.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : Estefania