The aim of Sweden’s work in East Timor is to reduce poverty, increase opportunities for peace and security and to contribute to greater respect for human rights. Our areas of co-operation are based on East Timor’s own priorities and are built on the analyses that we have made of the situation in the country together with other players.
One important focus of Sweden’s support is to contribute to sustainable capacity development and to strengthen institutions. The rights of children, youths and women are to be given particular attention.
Sweden does not have an embassy in East Timor and Sida has no staff on site. We are therefore concentrating on contributions that are channelled through the UN organization. Development co-operation follow-up is managed from Sweden.
Working for better access to justice
In East Timor, access to the judicial system is limited, particularly for people who live in rural areas and especially women and children.
Many are not aware of their basic rights and have little or no experience of democratic processes.
To reach the most vulnerable groups, we are working to improve the capacity and structure at the local and regional level. We are doing this partly by supporting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The UNDP-run Justice System Program (JSP) is working to create a democratic judicial system in East Timor. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers have been trained and a basic data system has been created for all of the judicial systems’ authorities in the capital, Dili.
Education
The education system in East Timor has faced many challenges. In the last 10 years, it has completely collapsed twice. There are major deficiencies. We are supporting the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in East Timor so that more children receive an education.
UNICEF is driving several projects aimed at improving the quality of and access to elementary education, partly by training teachers and producing curricula and school material.
