One of the organizers,Jonato dos Santos Luciano,of the Peace Walk that took place in the capital, Dili, the day after the major parties wrapped up campaigning for the Early Election 2018, on 10 May, said youths should be at the centre of national unity to promotegreater diversity.
“The youth can promote the values and the normsof democracyand of pluralism as the fundamental way to achieve the prosperity and peace of the State of Timor-Leste,” he said in during the march.
He added the main purpose of the event is toawaken Timor-Leste’s youth to contribute to peace and national unity.
“We are reflecting on the social and political situationthat is currently taking place,and as youth how we can demonstrate to everyone in the country that we are for peace and stability,” he said.
Striving for peace, he said, should not be just a mandate of government, but the youth must also play the role of peacemaker in particular during election periods.
He added that the youth can share information about peace and how people can create peace.
“During this event we are spreading the message of peace and the symbols of peace to everyone,” he said.
Meanwhile the President of the Rotary Club of Dili, Joaquim Freitas Soares said the peace march showed the public that everyone wants peace and stability.
“Peace is very important in Timor-Leste. The youth are agents of peace and they can encourage the leaders to create peace during this time when the leaders are fighting and insulting one another,” he said.
He appealed to all political parties running for election in 2018, regardless of whowins or loses, to accept the resultswholeheartedly.
“All of us should accept the result with a sense of pride to ensure peace and stability so thatdevelopment of the country can keep going,” he said.
Meanwhile Leovigildo Hornai, former Secretary of State for Youthand Sports, is proud with the initiative that came from the youth of Timor-Leste in organising a peace march.
“This is a very good initiative. We all hope that peace, stability, tranquillity and harmony. This is what everyone wants. We must strengthen diversity,” he said.
He hoped that Peace March can strengthen national unity, post-election during the announcement of the early election results and that everyone remains calm and is ready to accept the outcome.
“Respect our people in this beloved country we can live in calmness, in unity, and in peace,” he said.
