The Centro Nacional Chega (CNC), in the capital Dili, now has a modern archive centre to preserve the history and memories from the period between 1974 and 1999 and to ensure that these documents will not be lost in the future.
CNC Executive Director, Hugo Maria Fernandes, said that the modern archive centre was established with digitisation equipment to protect the history and memories of the past related to the struggle for independence.
“Now we have a modern archive centre to preserve this history and these memories so that they will not be lost,” he said.
He said that the centre aims to develop a modern documentation and archival system in Timor-Leste.
“We do not only archive, but we also digitise, take care of the documents and make them accessible to the public so they can access, read and conduct research,” Executive Director Fernandes said.
He said that access to the centre is free, but there are rules determining which documents can be accessed and which cannot be accessed because they are restricted.
“At this archive centre, we have also installed a library and digitisation equipment, and we also have a small shop for victims to sell their products,” he said.
He added that the archive centre preserves the history and memories of the past over a period of 60 years and provides a space for the public and researchers to access them free of charge.
On the other hand, Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ) student Aquila Cardoso Loiola Moniz said that the modern archive centre will make it easier for the academic community to conduct research, particularly when it is related to the topics they choose for their theses.
“This centre is very important for students because, until now, many students have been looking for places where they can access information about past events to complete their studies,” he said.
He said that the history of the past needs to be kept in a safe place so that it is not lost and can serve as a guide for young people to properly understand the history of Timor-Leste.In addition, he said that there is also a need to raise awareness among the academic community so that they have knowledge about how to access the centre.
