The National Youth Council of Timor-Leste will open English language courses for young people in neighborhoods at risk of conflict within Dili.
The President of the National Youth Council of Timor-Leste (CNJTL) Leovigildo Hirnai said currently they were coordinating with the government about the issue, to encourage and build the capacity of young people.
He said with the idea of closing down martial arts groups, it was important to open courses for the youth so they could learn about science and hopefully be creative in their lives.
The youth leader said activities like giving away sports and music equipment and holding youth seminars were good, but it was only effective if they learned something.
“It’s not only to learn a language, there are a lot of things that could be introduced to them like creative activities to develop their villages without depending on the government,” the CNJTL President said in Farol, Dili.
He said that several months ago they launched an English course in Kakaulidun in Bairo-Pite to gather young people from the neighborhood, and they would go to other neighborhoods like Luro Mata, Fatuhada, Marconi, Bebonuk and Becora which are categorized as at risk of conflict.
He added the program would be held a bit late as CNJTL didn’t have a permanent budget to implement it in all neighborhoods, as the volunteers needed a small budget for their transport.
Therefore, he asked young people not to put their hands out to the government but to work hard, be diligent and to change their lives, as the government cannot change people’s lives.
Comoro resident Martino Pinto said he was happy with the program but said there was no guarantee these activities would reduce conflict because of the mentality of the people.
“I appreciate this plan as so far there have been no activities to gather these young men, so this program can gather young men to change their ideas, ” he said.
