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In December 2024, Timor-Leste marked a significant milestone in its educational and peacebuilding journey by hosting the first major Transformative Education Forum in Dili, from 11-13 December 2024. This event represented a historic achievement, being the first of its scale organized by UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Centro Nacional Chega! (CNC), and INFORDEPE. Under the theme "Quality Education for Sustainable Peace in Timor-Leste," the forum brought together high-level government leaders, educators, and development partners to reflect on the nation’s educational progress, challenges, and the transformative potential of education in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future. 

Since achieving sovereignty in 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant strides in social and economic development, but sustaining peace requires continuous investment in inclusive, participatory, and high-quality education. The forum provided a platform to explore discussions on what knowledge and values will prepare young Timorese for the future, the relevance of education to their lives and aspirations, and its role in sustaining peace both locally and globally.   

The event started with a pre-forum teachers’ workshop, attended by 250 educators from all 14 districts of Timor-Leste. Participants discussed innovative pedagogical skills and methodologies covering several areas, such as:  

• Curriculum Adaptation to Ensure Inclusive Education. 

• Multiclass Education Strategy.  

• Project-Based Learning.  

• Effective and Peaceful Classroom Management.  

• Use of Teaching Materials for Numeracy.

• History Education for Peace.  

This initial session set a strong foundation for the Forum, ensuring that voices from across the country were heard and ideas to enhance quality education were actively explored. 

The first day of the forum highlighted the aspirations of Timor-Leste’s education system and its role in sustainable peace and prosperity. Discussions revolved around improving teacher training, infrastructure, and curriculum reform.  The necessity for empathetic, creative, and critical student-centered teaching was emphasized, alongside the need for active and inclusive learning environments.  All speakers from various sectors, including government and international organizations, and educators called for collaborative efforts to enhance educational equity and quality.

Hugo Fernandes, Executive Director, Centro Nacional Chega!, stressed the need to align educational objectives.

On the second day, the Forum focused on the critical role of history education, reconciliation, and inclusive education. Jae-ho Shin, a Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute of Korean History, shared South Korea’s approach for using history education into its curriculum to promote reconciliation, civic virtues, and national pride. Participants explored how Timor-Leste could apply similar methods to enhance its own history curriculum, drawing parallels between Korea’s and Timor-Leste’s historical experiences. Domingos Martins, President INFORDEPE, emphasized the value of learning from Korea’s institutions, like libraries and memorial museums, to enrich Timor-Leste's preservation and promotion of its historical heritage.  He recommended creating more interactive and meaningful learning opportunities, such as field trips to historical sites and the inclusion of survivor narratives, to enhance the engagement and effectiveness in history education. 

The day also addressed broader educational challenges, including sustainable peace, justice, and equality in Timor-Leste.  Presenters identified the need for curriculum updates to better represent all societal segments, particularly women and marginalized groups. The discussions called for enhanced teacher training and community-driven educational strategies to address infrastructural and societal barriers effectively. Innovations in early education, including the integration of literacy, numeracy, civic education, and digital skills, were also highlighted as essential for preparing students for a diverse and evolving world. 

Moving forward 

The Transformative Education Forum concluded with a collective commitment to advancing quality education in Timor-Leste as a pathway to sustainable peace. Participants underscored the importance of strengthening teacher training, ensuring equitable access to education, and embedding peace education into curricula. The forum emphasized that achieving these goals requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including the government, educators, international partners, and the broader community. 

The forum’s outcomes reaffirm Timor-Leste’s dedication to building a resilient, inclusive, and innovative education system. By embracing transformative education, the nation is laying the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous future, ensuring that education remains central to its journey toward sustainable development and global integration.