On April 17th, 2015, the Noble Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation welcomed the First Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Education of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Under the motto “CPLP united for inclusive, efficient and effective educational systems”, this meeting resulted in the Declaration of Díli, with the approval of the Strategic Plan of Multilateral Cooperation on CPLP Education (2015 – 2020) and two resolutions.
The first resolution was on technical vocational education and the second on the preparation of a statistical report on education in Portuguese-speaking countries, both documents previously analysed during the Fourth Meeting of Education Focal Points of the CPLP, which preceded and prepared the First Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Education of the CPLP.
During his speech, the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, underlined the symbolism of this sectorial meeting, the first in the context of the Timorese presidency of CPLP, and ensured Timor-Leste’s commitment to education.
“We are currently focusing on effectively improving the quality of service delivery in the area of education. As you know, Timor-Leste had to be reborn from the ashes over 13 years ago, and unfortunately the education sector has had to start basically from scratch.”The Prime Minister adds that “in a country like Timor-Leste, where over 50% of the population is under 19 years old, needs to focus on the education and on the technical and professional qualification of our young people. Otherwise we will end up facing a problem that will be impossible to solve – that of unemployment. And we already know that unemployment breeds frustration and discontentment, and that it is ultimately a risk to the stability and security of any nation.”
Working sessions begun on April 14th, with the Technical Seminar on the “Strategic Plan of Multilateral Cooperation on CPLP Education (2015-2020). On April 15th, there was the Colloquium on “Technical Vocational Education in the CPLP”. Focal Points met on April 16th and, finally, the First Extraordinary Meeting of Ministers of Education of the CPLP took place on the 17th.
On 14 and 15 of April, the opening sessions were presided by the Minister of State, Coordinating Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Education of Timor-Leste, Fernando Lasama de Araújo and the Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Ambassador Murade Murargy.
Since its creation in 1996, CPLP has highlighted the importance of education within the Community. The establishment of the Strategic Plan of Multilateral Cooperation on CPLP Education is an historic opportunity and a strategic challenge pushing for the definite impulse that education requires in each of the Member States of CPLP.