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 Home Study Tours Study Tour 2009 - Timor-Leste
Study Tour 2009 - Timor-Leste
Literacy, learning and crocodile sitings - a union week in Timor-Leste.
2009 participants being tested on their Tetum by the women's literacy group in Dau Burabaha village.
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Eleven unionists travelled with APHEDA in August 2009 to experience first hand the impact Australian unionists are having in this new nation. While meeting President Jose Ramos Horta definitely ranked as one of the highlights of the trip, the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Timor-Leste's union officials delivered a powerful message of international solidarity.
The group also got to travel out to some of Timor-Leste's rural districts to visit carpentry cooperatives, women's literacy and income generation groups, as well as Community Learning Centres creating their own path in community development.
Speaking with the locals was a unique opportunity to learn more about international aid and development and also about the work of Australian unions through Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.
Some comments from the airport on the way home:
"really appreciate APHEDA's approach to implementing (ie. Supporting partnerships with local NGOs) its development projects."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Very well organised. We received information and experiences on a wide range of issues, projects and challenges. Meeting so many people from all walks of life was a highlight."
"Very relaxed, open minded and good fun."
"I felt it was a bit of a whirlwind but maybe it was because my head was spinning from learning so much!"
"Excellent to compare government views with those of the union and of the project participants."
"The tour has been invaluable. I learnt about development and the country's struggle for independence. I have learnt about the issues facing Timor and what progress will happen in the future."
"It has certainly added an 'emotional or personal' element to my knowledge. The things you can't pick up from books like the smell, the extent of poverty, the roads, and the hope, courage, strength and friendliness of the people."
"I was very impressed that each project was well prepared and confident to explain so much. I never had the feeling that we were seeing a sanitised version of the way things work even though some of the projects made huge efforts to welcome us and provide hospitality."
Contact Details
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA
Ph: (02) 9264 9343
Fax: (02) 9261 1118
office@apheda.org.au
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