The Secretary of State for Social Communication (SECOMS), Merício Juvenal dos Reis “Akara”, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, Teresa Ribeiro, the Vice-President of the Camões IP Institute, Gonçalo Teles Gomes and the Ambassador of Portugal in Timor-Leste, José Pedro Machado Vieira, handed certificates to the 102 graduates who completed the Portuguese language course at a ceremony held at the Government Palace on October 9, 2018.

Of the 102 trainees, 48 ​​finished basic level A1, 39 finished intermediate level B1 and 15 successfully completed intermediate level B2.

The Language Lab for Journalists (CLJ) program has already trained 218 people from the Timorese media and the government media.

Merício Akara in his speech stressed that the Portuguese language is, alongside tétum, an official language of Timor-Leste and therefore it is very important that all speak Portuguese, as this opens great opportunities in their careers.

“I greatly appreciate the cooperation between the two countries and in the context of learning the Portuguese language we further strengthen our bonds of friendship,” said Akara.

Teresa Ribeiro congratulated the trainees for their performance and thanked the trainers that with their good work allowed the trainees to reach this level, with the certificates distributed proving their knowledge and their command of the Portuguese language.

The Secretary of State also added that she notices “a great difference in the press written in Portuguese compared to the reality of two years ago. There is a difference and there is a great change in the interest, commitment and dedication of all to learn the Portuguese language”.

Also attending the ceremony were the Deputy of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, João de Albuquerque, the Officer for Cooperation, Cristina Faustino; the Consular Officer in Charge, Joana Sousa Fialho Pinheiro; the SECOMS Chief of Staff, Julio Gonsalves, the National Directors and Heads of Department within SECOMS, and the trainers from the Language Lab for Journalists (CLJ).