Futuru Lider Ba ASEAN goes ahead with programs of lectures and workshops
The FLBA (Futuru Lider Ba ASEAN) Accelerator Program began on February 10th, 2025, in Dili, with four days of lectures and workshops designed to strengthen the leadership skills of young Timorese and prepare them for Timor-Leste's full integration into ASEAN. This initiative, promoted by the IX Constitutional Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is part of the second edition of the FLBA program, officially launched on February 4th. 
The first day of the program began with analysis of the ASEAN's success story in economic growth and the specific challenges that Timor-Leste faces in this context. The session was led by investment experts Tean Ly from Cambodia, and David Freedman, Timor-Leste country manager for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The sustainability workshop in the afternoon was led by Dr. Anbumozhi Venkatachalam of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and focused on the opportunities and risks for Timor-Leste. 
The challenges of human development in Timor-Leste were the central theme of another session, addressed in the workshop led by Prof. Oliver Crocco of Louisiana State University, USA and visiting scholar at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Trainees from the first edition of the FLBA participated as training assistants in the workshops, sharing experiences and practical cases relevant to the Timorese context. Graduates of the first cohort of FLBA were teaching assistants in the workshops to share real cases from Timor-Leste.The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, highlighted at the launch of the second edition that “this occasion marks a significant contribution to our nation's journey towards integration in ASEAN and nation building”. He appealed to the participants to “remember that, as future leaders of ASEAN, they will represent Timor-Leste not only within our regional bloc, but also in the global community of nations, in order to ow the world the potential, values and aspirations of our nation”. 
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, highlighted at the launch of the second edition that “this occasion marks a significant contribution to our nation's journey towards integration in ASEAN and nation building”. He appealed to the participants to “remember that, as future leaders of ASEAN, they will represent Timor-Leste not only within our regional bloc, but also in the global community of nations, in order to ow the world the potential, values and aspirations of our nation”.
The Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Maria da Costa Rangel, stressed that the FLBA is a strategic initiative to prepare young Timorese for active participation in ASEAN: “The FLBA is not part of the membership roadmap requirements provided by ASEAN, but it is a commitment by our Ministry to ensure that Timor-Leste is prepared to fully integrate into the regional community.”
The IX Constitutional Government aims to train up to 500 young people through this program, promoting their understanding of ASEAN and their inclusion in the regional integration process. The second edition of the FLBA will be attended by 110 young Timorese, who will benefit from intensive leadership training, immersion in ASEAN countries and action learning projects aimed at the strategic development of Timor-Leste. 
