Study Tour 2008 - Timor-Leste

In 2008, 10 study tour participants enjoyed a week of learning with many visits and meetings, including:

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao speaking with 2008 study tour participants.

• Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao
• Moris Foun Carpentry Group, Dili
• Radio Rakambia and Radio Lorico Lian
• A performance by participants of the Expressional Arts program supported by APHEDA
• Tour of Dili
• Briefing on culture and language
• Visiting blacksmith, agricultural group, plough making and organic fertilizer projects in Aileu
• GFFTL literacy training and income generating training in Dauburubaha township, Viqueque
• Free time in Baucau (a great beach and coral reefs - ideal for swimming and snorkelling)
• Lunch at local fish stalls
• KBH Community Learning Centre at Metinaro, between Baucau and Dili
• KSTL (trade union) executive meeting
• Visiting Tais Market and other places of interest

Acronyms LAIFET - Labour Advocacy Institute for East Timor
GFFTL - Grupo Feto Foinsae Timor Leste (Young Women's Group)
AETL - East Timor Nurses Association
KBH - Knua Buka Hatane (Vocational Training Centre)
KSTL- Konfederation Sindicato Timor Lorosae (Trade Union Council of East Timor)

Day one of the Union Aid Abroad- APHEDA study tour to Timor-Leste saw participants whisked off the plane and straight into a meeting with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. This study tour to Timor-Leste included members, delegates and officials from the ACTU, AMWU, CFMEU, FSU, IEU, AEU, NTEU and ASU. The nine participants took the opportunity to discuss issues relating to the Timor-Leste government's plans for training and education, the role of trade unions in Timor, and the proposed seasonal guest worker program in Australia.

The next day we visited the Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA supported rural women's literacy and income-generation project - the highlight of the trip according to several of the study tour participants. The group bought all of the women's woven tais, along with mountains of cassava and banana crisps, which form the basis of the women's income-generating activities.

Over the course of a very packed week, the group visited projects in the district of Viqueque, Aileu and Dili, and had the chance to talk to Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA staff, partners and training participants about the projects. We met with several carpentry and mechanics groups, a blacksmithing group who make farming tools, an organic agriculture group (who provided the vegetables and fish for a delicious dinner the next night), a community radio station project, a fuel-efficient stove making project, representatives from the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation, and government ministers.

There was also time to swim at Timor-Leste's beautiful beaches, enjoy the delicious seafood, buy some beautiful woven tais and savour a few sunset beers.

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

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