After centuries of Colonial rule and foreign occupation, East Timor was the first country to become independent in this new millenium. The long years of resistance and struggle against foreign domination had culminated in an orgy of violence and destruction, after a large majority of East Timorese had opted for independence from Indonesia in a referendum in 1999. Following the killing of more than a thousand people and the forced displacement of a large part of the population, the United Nations finally intervened and assumed a transitional administrative responsibility for a period of two years, It was then in May 2002 that East Timor with a population close to one million inhabitants obtained its formal independence.

The people of East Timor now has the opportunity to take its future in its own hands, but this new beginning is burdened with the legacy of many years of colonial neglect, violent repression and large scale physical destruction at the time of the withdrawal of the Indonesian military in the latter part of 1999. Building a new country under these circumstances is a tremendous challenge and does not only require the reconstruction of destroyed buildings and physical infrastructures. Although this is indeed necessary, equally important is the development of new institutions and organisational structures of civil society, the healing of wounds caused over many years of violent conflicts, the promotion of a common identity among the numerous ethnic and language groups as well as developing the human resources needed for building a new state and a peaceful society.

In the same way as it has been supporting development initiatives in East Timor since 1977, Misereor has again responded to the challenges of building the new nation of East Timor from the year 2000 onwards. During the initial period of this new era it was important to restore the foundations of livelihood for the returning refugees, helping them to rebuild their houses and to start again their farming activities. Misereor was able to support such a rehabilitation program in the border area with West Timor, implemented by a long term partner who had been doing rural development activities in this area for many years already. This program is continuing with the support of Misereor, although it is now focussing on longer term issues such as the improvement of agricultural methods, diversification of crops, introduction of animal husbandry, fish culture, etc.

A key element for sustained development in all sectors is the availability of qualified personnel. Due to its recent history, there is a tremendous shortage of skills and expertise in various fields in East Timor and which are crucial for progressing towards a prosperous, just and peaceful society. Human resource development is, therefore, a priority for Misereor, which finds its expression in the support of formal and non formal training and education. Funding of projects included the construction of classrooms and boarding facilities, the procurement of training equipment, the training of instructors as well as conducting vocational training courses.

The educational system in East Timor had never reached a very high standard, but after the exodus of Indonesian teachers in 1999 the problem of providing adequate schooling for all children became very urgent. A particular bottle neck was the availability of trained teachers. In response to this acute and urgent issue, Misereor gave and continues to give full support to an initiative to upgrade the qualification of active teachers and to establish a full-fledged Teachers Training College in Baucau.

Given its long history of foreign influences and domination, East Timor with its multitude of ethnic groups and languages did not have the necessary freedom to develop a common identity as a nation. It is true that these groups were united in their fight against foreign military occupation, but will this unity persist in building a new nation? Now that freedom has been achieved, there is a need to become aware of a common history and culture and to organise a common future in one nation. Promoting such a spirit, Misereor is supporting the local production of a TV series which relates the history and culture of East Timor to the challenges of building a democratic and peaceful society.

The continuous support of Misereor for development initiatives in East Timor since 1977 is indicative of our understanding of development as a longer term process, which requires continuity and cannot be limited to isolated, short term interventions. It is not sufficient to respond to spectacular and acute emergencies which attract public attention, but constructive development work rather begins only when the immediate emergency is over. Misereor is therefore committed to continue its support for local partners in East Timor on the long road towards a just and peaceful society, where the East Timorese themselves decide on their own future.