According to the Spokesperson for the Training, Sports, and Arts and Culture division of the 12 November Committee, Sergio F. Marques Amali, his team has been raising awareness to secondary school students about nationalism and patriotism.
His team in 2014 visited three schools in DiliZ: Cannosa, Eskola Secondaria 5 de Maio and the Becora Vocational Technique Centre.
“It is necessary to raise youth’s consciousness through socialization about youth participation in the struggle for national independence and that one day they will lead the nation,” said spokesperson Amali, in Balide,Dili.
He added that the youth in his time is different to the youth on today and that in his day youths came together to fight for the independence of Timor-Leste but the youth of today are more focused on creating conflict and are not united.
The 12 November Committee aims to be able to establish a partnership with the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sports (SEJD) and with the Ministry of Education to discuss the implementation of their program in all schools.
Escola 5 de Maio student Januario Pinto said he enjoyed the program because the youth got to understand how they can now contribute towards national development.
He hopes the 12 November Committee will be able extend the program to other schools across the country.
“The fight for independence is over but now it is our turn to done something that will improve the people’s lives,” said student Pinto.
The President of Commission F (for health, education, culture, sports and veterans affairs and gender equality) Member of Parliament MP Virgilio da Costa Hornai said this should be the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.
“I think this is not the responsibility of the 12 de November Committee. They have earned the title of martyrs and veterans of independence but that does not mean they can take over other people’s responsibility.”
