Prime Minister inaugurates National Camping Week for Young People with Disabilities in Aileu
On August 25th, 2025, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão presided over the opening ceremony of the National Camping Week for Youth with Disabilities, held in Seloi Kraik Village, in the Administrative Post of Aileu, Municipality of Aileu. The event, promoted by the Timor-Leste Disability Association (ADTL Portuguese acronyms) and part of the celebrations of the 26th anniversary of the Popular Consultation, brings together about 150 young people from the municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, Manufahi, and Dili. 
In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating: “This is the first time I have participated in a camping of this nature. Therefore, on August 30th, I will return to Aileu to celebrate the anniversary of the Popular Consultation with you. I now leave you with the challenge of promoting dialogue, training, education, and reflection, because this initiative is truly important. Many young people with disabilities face barriers to communication or mobility, but their true strength lies in their intelligence and resilience. I am very pleased to be here with you.”
With the theme “Training, Civic Education, Dialogue, Reflection, Experience Sharing, Animation, Health Consultation,” and “Celebration of the Popular Consultation,” the week of activities includes training on disability and inclusion, basic life skills training, digital literacy, basic journalism, child protection policies, prevention of gender-based violence, introduction to the use of artificial intelligence, as well as training in Braille. The program also includes opportunities for dialogue between young people with disabilities and institutional representatives, including local and national authorities.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, the Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion, Elvina Sousa Carvalho, the President of the Municipal Authority of Aileu, representatives of the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and OXFAM, public administration officials, and representatives of civil society.
