International Conference celebrates 20 years since Nobel Peace Prize award to two sons of Timor
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, October 11th, 2016
International Conference celebrates 20 years since Nobel Peace Prize award to two sons of Timor
The Prime Minister and members of Government have participated in an International Conference held in Dili marking 20 years since the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Eminence Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo and His Excellency Dr. Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta.
On the 11th of October 1996 the Nobel Committee jointly honored these two sons of Timor for their “work to find a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor” and expressed their hope that the award would “spur efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in East Timor based on the people's right to self-determination”. Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, noted “the award of this Prize, apart from representing the international recognition of the exceptional work done by these two leading figures, had an invaluable impact for the Timorese people in the struggle for self-determination.”
The Conference on “Citizenship, Peace and Well-Being” held on the 7th and 8th of October included international Nobel laureates in the areas of peace, physics, economics and medicine. Eminent international guests were joined by a broad range of Timorese delegates, with a special emphasis given to the participation of youth. In his address on the closing day of the conference Prime Minister Araújo spoke to particularly to the university and high school students assembled saying “I call on young people, as agents of change, as future leaders of our country, that they take part of our national development, that they express themselves through conscious attitudes and behaviours that make a positive difference in the society and the country.”
Sessions involving senior members of Government covered the themes of Justice and Human Rights, Business, Economics and Finance, Science and Technology, and Health and Medicine. The former President of Mozambique, H.E. Joaquim Chissano attended and spoke on “Peace and Stability in Nation Building based on the Rule of Law.” Former President and Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta spoke on the theme “Development for Peace, Stability and Democracy.” For health reasons Bishop Belo was unable to attend.
Government Spokesperson, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “this conference with its theme of ‘Citizenship, Peace and Wellbeing’, participation of eminent guests, and focus on youth has been a fitting way to celebrate, 20 years on, the worthy awarding of His Eminence Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo and His Excellency Dr. Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize.”ENDS
