Participants in the “Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN” Complete Immersion Programme in Nine ASEAN Member States
The 120 participants in the third edition of the Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN (FLBA) programme completed, between July and August 2026, a one-week immersion programme across nine ASEAN Member States, designed to deepen knowledge of the region and strengthen leadership and regional-cooperation skills. 
Organised into groups, participants visited Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, where they had direct contact with institutions, development models, and the economic, social, and cultural realities of countries in the region.
During the visits, participants met with representatives from government institutions, companies, universities, development organisations, and other entities. The activities provided an opportunity to learn from ASEAN Member States' experiences in areas such as economic development, human capital development, sustainability, governance, and regional cooperation.
The immersion programme comprised meetings, institutional visits, and practical learning activities designed to strengthen skills in leadership, strategic thinking, intercultural communication, and problem-solving. Participants also had the opportunity to build professional contacts with representatives from various sectors in the countries visited and to identify experiences relevant to Timor-Leste’s development priorities.
The visits were carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC), Timor-Leste’s diplomatic missions in ASEAN Member States, and institutions in the host countries. Timorese embassies and missions supported the organisation of institutional visits, liaised with local entities, and accompanied the delegations.
Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN is a Government initiative delivered through the MNEC, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and coordinated by the Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs, Milena Rangel. The 12-month programme, funded by the Government, aims to build the capacity of young Timorese professionals to contribute to Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN and to national development.
The third edition, launched in March this year, brings together 120 professionals from approximately 100 organisations, selected from 480 applicants, including representatives from public administration, the private sector, civil society, and academia, from various municipalities and professional fields.
The immersion programme continues the training activities developed throughout this third edition, including the April Acceleration Programme, which was dedicated to human development, leadership, sustainability, and economic growth in the context of ASEAN.
Since its launch in 2024, the FLBA has been preparing Timorese professionals to participate more fully in ASEAN structures and initiatives. The knowledge, experience, and contacts gained during the visits will be integrated into the upcoming stages of the programme’s third edition and into participants’ professional and institutional activities.
