The International Republican Institute ran a program to hear the opinions of the community in Ermera district, with the objective of listening to the concerns of people in rural areas. 
IRI facilitated four Members of Parliament in the visit to Ermera, representing the National Congress for Timor-Leste Reconstruction (CNRT), the Revolutionary Front of Timor-Leste Independence (Fretilin), Frente Mudansa and the Democratic Party (PD).
According to IRI Senior Program Officer Carlito Nunes the objective of the program was for MPs to hear the concerns of the electorate directly.
“To know people’s concerns and to look for a way to resolve these concerns,” said Nunes in Ermera.
He added before being held in Ermera, the program had already been to Manatuto, Bobonaro, Manufahi and Lautem districts, and would be held in all districts in the territory.
Meanwhile MP Aurelio Freitas Ribeiro said this program had value as the MPs could hear the people’s concerns directly.
“This is good as we hear directly what they demand and the issues are very important,” he said.
MP Ribeiro suggested IRI should facilitate these activities elsewhere in Timor.
On the other hand, Bendito Amaral, who took part in the program, said it was good but they had limited time and a lot of people wanted to express their concerns but there was no time so they became bored.
