The 2013 recipient of the Peace-Network (N-Peace) Award, Madalena Bidau Soares (Mana Kasian), urged the youth of Timor, female and male, to steer clear from violence and to focus on getting an education so they can defend the nation.
She said also many young people nowadays do not give importance to getting educated rather focusing on what is not important in their lives.
“I want young boys and girls to go to school and to work hard at school and not to resort to violence because of phone conversations,” said Mana Kasian.
She said also she is very concerned with the welfare of children who have abandoned their education and get involved in violent crime and go to jail despite being minors.
She is also concerned with the number of young people resorting to violence resulting in death.
Filomena Barros dos Reis N-Peace Award Recipient 2011 also urged especially young people to distance themselves from violence and to do something productive and creative and be part of the democratic process towards the future.
“It is not easy to change personal character. Every night I travel around Dili speaking to the youth sitting on the side of the road, drinking, playing billiards and I speak to them and tell them this is not good.”
She added now is time for the youth to prepare themselves and seek opportunities to increase knowledge to develop the country in future.
