The Civil Service Commission (CFP – acronym in Portuguese), in cooperation with the FALINTIL–Timor-Leste Defence Forces (F-FDTL – acronym in Portuguese), held the official opening ceremony for the second phase of Character-Building Training on September 28th, 2026, in Letefoho, Ermera Municipality. The training, aimed at strengthening discipline, integrity, accountability, and ethics in public service, was for 176 employees from ministries and public institutions.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Justice, Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai; the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes; the President of the Civil Service Commission, Agostinho Letêncio de Deus; Brigadier General José da Costa Soares “TRIX”; representatives of the F-FDTL and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL – acronym in Portuguese); the Vice President of Committee A of the National Parliament, António Verdial de Sousa; and the President of the Ermera Municipal Authority, José Martinho dos Santos Soares, together with other representatives of public institutions and local authorities.
Under the theme “Developing employees with strong character and integrity for the dignity and image of State institutions”, the training continues the first phase of the programme, which also included 176 staff members from ministries and public institutions.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Civil Service Commission emphasised that state-building requires, in addition to technical knowledge and skills, public servants with character, discipline, and a sense of responsibility. Agostinho Letêncio de Deus stated that character enables the reconciliation of democratic principles of freedom with the demands of discipline, respect for hierarchy, and quality of service in Public Administration.
The President of the CFP also highlighted that the programme seeks to instil in public servants, particularly discipline, dedication, and service to the State, values associated with the history of the national liberation struggle and the example of heroes and martyrs. In this context, the Civil Service Commission established cooperation with the F-FDTL to integrate these principles into training.
The Minister of Justice highlighted institutional cooperation in implementing the programme and its contribution to the development of State institutions by preparing public servants in terms of behaviour, capabilities, and the exercise of their duties.
The training includes modules on personal development, self-respect and respect for others, honesty, responsibility, communication, ethics, integrity, patriotism, and nationalism. The programme also addresses rights and duties in Public Administration, emphasising loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, attendance, and punctuality, as well as disciplinary procedures, applicable sanctions, and the consequences of misconduct in public office.
The programme also covers time management, Timor-Leste’s history, professionalism, resilience, and physical exercise. The training combines classroom sessions with practical fieldwork.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to reform and develop Public Administration, with a focus on consolidating a service culture grounded in responsibility, discipline, integrity, and respect for the principles that guide public service.