Documentary Premier introduced by Vice Prime Minister Guterres at the National Arts Club of New York, 21 October

Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres, introduced the United States premier of the documentary film, Timor-Leste, Together as One Building our Future at the National Arts Club of New York on 21 October 2008. Thanks to FPCD International Advisory Board Member, Richard Jordan, a large audience that consisted of members of the diplomatic community, activists, civil society,members of the art and culture community, and friends of Timor-Leste were able to hear the Vice Prime Minister's remarks that highlighted the challenges and successes of the Gusmao Government in 2008.

The documentary film is the story of the IV Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste, the AMP Coalition, sworn into office on 8 August 2007, five years after independence. It is about one year of challenges and triumphs told through the eyes of those who are nation building with a new Government and new direction. For the first time in Timor-Leste a strong multi-party system exists that celebrates political diversity with a unified vision.


Tolerance within the post conflict nation paved the way for five political parties and independent professionals to set new standards that above all demonstrate that democracy could be reintroduced to a country that had duly suffered the consequences of failures from the difficult process of state building.


In 2006, the IV Constitutional Government faced serious challenges. From the crisis in 2006, Timor-Leste had over 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), a group of former armed defense members roamed the mountains threatening national security and the dissatisfaction of close to 800 armed forces, known as the petitioners, was increasing. With a highly politicized public service and virtually no handover to any of the ministries, the Government set out to reform and rebuild the nation.


One year later, the Government has accomplished what many thought could not be achieved. Over 58,000 IDP’s have returned to homes with nearly ½ of the refugee camps closed. The petitioner’s issues have been reconciled and they have all successfully been reintegrated in the community and armed rebels who threatened the nation have all peacefully surrendered to justice. With national stability at hand and a new found confidence, the Government set their strengths to transforming the social and economic fabric of Timor-Leste.


On February 11, 2008, the strength of the new Government was tested when both the President and the Prime Minister were attacked. The President, His Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta, was seriously wounded. The Prime Minister, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão escaped harm. “A bullet can wound a President, but never penetrate the democratic values of democracy” said the Prime Minister. There were no subsequent outbreaks of violence. The AMP Government proved that dialogue and concord within a budding democracy could triumph conflict so that the new direction for a young nation, only six years old, was solidifying with renewed hope for the a better future.

For further information, please contact the Foundation for Post Conflict Development at contact@postconflictdev.org

Finance Minister Pires of Timor-Leste, FPCD and UPEACE/US Roundtable Discussion, Washington DC

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD), the United States Association for the University for Peace with the support of the Embassy of Timor-Leste to the United States co-hosted a roundtable discussion on 10 October, in Washington D.C., in honour of H.E. Ms. Emilia Pires, Minister of Finance, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The premier film trailer for served as the centerpiece for this roundtable discussion. Timor-Leste: Together as One Building Our Future

Among the attendees: H.E. Jose-Luis Guterres, Deputy Prime Minister of Timor-Leste , H.E. Joao Goncalves, Minister of Economy and Development, Timor-Leste, Ms. Balbina Soares, Executive Assistant to the Minister of Finance, Timor-Leste, Ambassador Grover Joseph Rees, United States, Daniel K. Delk, Jr., Timor-Leste Desk Officer, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, United States Department of State.