Born into war and violence, Timor-Leste’s millennials are shaping the new country’s future.
THIS IS A HUGELY significant year in the history of Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor), one of Australia’s closest neighbours and one of the world’s newest nations. It marks the 20th anniversary of the Popular Consultation, the independence referendum that took place on 30 August 1999. On that day the Timor-Leste people exercised their right to self-determination and voted overwhelmingly for independence.
This year also marks 20 years since Australian troops were deployed to Timor-Leste as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), the peacekeeping task force that from 1999 into 2000 addressed the humanitarian and security crisis facing the country. INTERFET was led by Australia with (then) Major General Peter Cosgrove at its helm, involved 21 countries and made an important contribution at a critical time in Timor-Leste’s history.
Many Australians, including a large contingent of INTERFET veterans, are expected to attend Timor-Leste’s anniversary celebrations and the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, is working closely with the government-appointed organising committee to ensure commemorations reflect Australia’s involvement.
I’M STANDING WITH human rights lawyer Patrick Burgess on the terrace of an old Portuguese pousada (guesthouse) on a hill above Maubisse, a mountain village in Timor-Leste. We watch as low clouds part in the valley far below, revealing a flooded paddock on which a music festival will soon begin.
In a while, we will head down there to begin filming – we are making a documentary about how young people are shaping a positive future for the formerly war-ravaged country through music, film and art.
Denne historien er fra July - August 2019-utgaven av Australian Geographic Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra July - August 2019-utgaven av Australian Geographic Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Loveday Internment Camp, SA A
DURING WORLD WAR II, civilians n Australia deemed \"enemy aliens\" - mostly those of German, Italian and Japanese descent were housed in internment camps.
THE STORYTELLERS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
More than 100 dedicated Master Reef Guides are sharing the GBR's most important stories with visitors in a bid to inspire its greater protection.
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
Does last summer's mass coral bleaching event sound a death knell for Australia's beloved Great Barrier Reef? \"Not on my watch!\" is the message coming from he army of heartbroken, but resolute, marine scientists who've responded to the crisis by doubling down on their research.
AROUND AUSTRALIA IN 44 DAYS
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first aerial circumnavigation of Australia. Aviator Michael Smith retraces the flight in his unique amphibious flying boat, Southern Sun, starting and finishing at RAAF Base Point Cook, on Melbourne's Port Phillip, taking in 15,000km of vast, diverse and stunning coastline in between.
CLEAR-CUTTING KOALA COUNTRY
More than 3000sq.km of forests on NSW's Mid North Coast have been earmarked for the Great Koala National Park. But there's still work to be done before this proposed reserve becomes the safe haven koalas desperately need.
MORE THAN QUOKKAS
Sure, you can't avoid those cute little marsupials that made Rottnest Island world-famous, but there's so much more to life on this ocean-ringed jewel off the Western Australian coast.
A WILD POLO TUSSLE
It's an event reminiscent of a Banjo Paterson poem. For 35 years, in the High Country 200km east of Melbourne, city polo players have gathered annually at Cobungra, Victoria's largest cattle station, to vie with a rural team for the Dinner Plain Polo Cup.
Ancient know-how meets a modern challenge
Contemporary marine park management is infused with traditional knowledge to tackle new threats on the Great Barrier Reef.
LOOKING FOR TJAKURA
The search is on across Australia's deserts for a culturally important vulnerable lizard.
RESCUING THE CHUDITCH
After intensive planning, recovery for this endangered marsupial species is being stepped up to secure its future.
