Dili, November 14, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Young people who are members of the Human Rights Spreading Movement of the (AJAR) Center held a press conference themed, “Let’s Grow and Spread Sense of Patriotism and National Unity”. In the dialogue, young people raised important issues such as security and protection, conflict, duties, militarism, participation, accountability and gender equality. The press conference was held at HAK, Farol, Dili.
In this conference, MC Silvino dos Santos delivered based on the results of research from youth during the implementation of FGD in Ainaru, Baucau, Bobonaro, Viqueque, Covalima, Manu-fahi, Manatuto, Liquiça, Aileu and Lautem. The FGD itself was organized by students of Human Rights and Social Justice (AJAR) with the aim of finding out more about the real conditions faced by youth in the field. Related to critical, analytical and reflective thinking on the current situation that guarantees youth concern during the independence period.
“We as the younger generation are not free from the human rights perspective, the consequences of internal and external security, structural unemployment and the implementation of public politics. Usually, people consider youth as someone who is entering adulthood. In fact, it is written in the national youth policy, defining goal and tariffs as rights, responsibilities and obligations.” Said MC, Silvino dos Santos
He added, however, that in the FGD it was mentioned that it had been two decades since Timor-Leste’s independence, but the young men and women of Timor-Leste were still living in the abyss of unemployment and unbalanced education, so that the young men and women were trapped in a wrong conscience, had no principles and were easily trapped in conflict.
“We as young people are concerned since 2002 when independence came, Timor-Leste experienced a crisis of leadership and military politics which resulted in a crisis of regionalism, in 2006 it led to a crisis of martial arts and rituals, in 2008 this situation occurred because the leaders ignored the goal of fighting for the liberation of the people and the principles of the constitution as stated in article 6 (state objectives) 1, and article 19 (youth) line B2. Elite politics do not have the principle of democratic centralism, the arrogance of political leaders is widespread, and finally causes a structured, systematic and massive crisis within two decades.” He said.
He added, the younger generation needs to note that, the selfish elite are historical ideas that influence and flow for the psychological warfare of youth (hatred, stress, pessimism, illusion, frustration and stagnant in place) in the country of RDTL. These issues make young people continue to conflict and provoke each other in every place on the digital platform, damage people’s reputations, thin out national unity among young people, the moral degradation of young people continues to flow and spread in society.
“We also observe that often leaders exclude the new generation of technical experts from major decisions, because leaders politically monopolize the country’s economy, usually, political divisions are related to economic, geopolitical and ideological interests. We consider as a consequence of the political situation that gives rise to discrimination, social inequality or social unconsciousness, abuse of power in democratic institutions, passive and active corruption, nepotism.” He added.
He informed that during this dialogue it was noted that the socio-economic conditions of families can also have an impact on young people, because the stimulus of economic income is greatly reduced, causing young people to lose their morals, not obeying the norms and customs as citizens of Timor-Leste.
“We are clear that the violence that occurs as a consequence will not spread to the elite group that forces, many young people continue to, 1 line b) guarantee and promote the rights of citizens and fundamental liberation and respect the state principle of democratic rights. 2 the state will provide everything it can offer, to help education, health and vocational training for young people, unemployment, formal education of Timorese people does not help young people in liberation and society continues to give a cruel stigma to young people that they are a space for violence.” He added
He added that many young people are concerned about the problem of unemployment, when the unemployment rate is very high in Timor-Leste, the result is that they fight themselves, attack, destroy, become defensive and consider others as enemies. In Timor-Leste, the problem of unemployment is a big problem for the government and the state in this new country. Starting from Timor-Leste which received total recovery in 2002, this problem has become a serious problem for the government because every year the number of unemployed is getting higher, there is no place to work which makes young people feel frustrated.
He further explained that youth as agents of change must create dignified and quality public politics for youth, so that everyone can actively participate in society. The government must have a plan to improve the country’s economy and promote macroeconomics to provide space for youth in the workplace and the government must create a macroeconomic policy for the country so that young workers have sectors such as Agriculture, Marketing and Industry.
Reported by : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano