The Secretary of State for Youth and Sport (SEJD), Nélio Isaac Sarmento and the State Secretary staff celebrated, on August 12, 2019, the twentieth anniversary of International Youth Day with the theme “Transformative Education” in the East Timor Coffee Institute (ETCI) building, in the municipality of Ermera.

The celebrations had various cultural activities and technical and public speaking competitions.

In his speech, Nélio Isaac Sarmento, told young people that “this celebration aims to improve the lives of young people and contribute to an independent life, transforming their thinking through education and stressed the importance of International Youth Day, because this day celebrates on 12 August by resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1999, in response to the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, meeting in Lisbon, from 8 to 12 August 1998.

Since the majority of the population of the municipality of Ermera is young, it is necessary to pay attention to the area of ​​education, both in formal and informal education. Education should start within the family and they should not prohibit children from going to school.

In the area of ​​formal and informal education, the Government seeks to improve the capacity of young people through academic and technical training and to increase people’s access to books in order to prepare for the challenges they face. Said the Secretary of State.

The event was attended by the President of the Ermera Municipality Authority, José Martinho dos Santos Soares, representatives of the United Nations, PNTL, F-FDTL, ETCI students and SEJD officials.