Following the launch of the Timor-Leste National Human Development Report 2018 yesterday at Dili Convention Centre, today UNDP facilitated a public seminar and policy debate at Hotel Timor to discuss the findings and recommendations of the report.

Following opening remarks by H.E. Rui Gomes and UNDP Country Director Mr. Claudio Providas, the report’s main authors Professor Udoy Saikia and Dr. Merve Hosgelen presented an overview of the report’s wellbeing framework and main findings and recommendations, followed by a question and answer session with members of the audience.

The report measures the subjective well-being of youth aged 15-34 across eight aspects of well-being based on a nationwide survey. Promisingly, it finds that three quarters of youth across Timor-Leste perceive themselves as leading healthy and satisfactory lives overall, however, it also finds that more than 80 percent experience deprivations in education and community vitality.

Timor-Leste is one of the youngest countries in the world with 74 per cent of the population aged under 35, making it the second youngest nation in the Asia-Pacific region after Afghanistan and 15^th youngest globally. Consequently, young people have the potential to play an extremely important role in the country’s achievement of its future development aspirations.

A panel consisting of youth representatives Ms. Juvita Faria and Mr. Zaulino Gomes, youth entrepreneurs representative Silvia Sdal, Director General for Secretary of State for Youth and Labour Mr. Paul Alves, CEPAD Director Mr. Joao Boavida and Director General for the Ministry of Education Mr. Antoninho Pires discussed and debated issues raised in the report including opportunities for education and training – particularly outside Dili – and the role of Government in supporting youth to find employment or create their own businesses.

In response to a question about preparing young people for the world of work, Director General for the Ministry of Education Mr. Antoninho Pires said: “The Government is aiming to implement policies which strengthen the skills of young people, so that they themselves can contribute to the development of the state.”

Director General for Secretary of State for Youth and Labour Mr. Paul Alves added: “The Government has a vocational training policy, however the majority of the unemployed in Timor-Leste are young people and so proper attention must be given to education and training, so that young people can take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside Timor-Leste.”

Center of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD) Director Mr. Joao Boavida responded: “Good policy implementation is essential and must respond to specific community needs.”

The report finds that inadequate investments in education and training result in a large pool of unemployed youth who feel unprepared for and lack the skills required to access decent employment. This is intensified for adolescent girls and young women who are further disadvantaged in fully participating in education and the economy due to gender roles. The perceived support youth receive from their communities is limited while more than 75 per cent have elevated levels of concern related to safety and security.

Youth representative Mr. Zaulino Gomes added: “The youth in Timor-Leste need support to become a productive resource.  This includes not only the Government, but international organisations, civil society and youth organisations to commit to the strong implementation of policies. The future of all people in Timor-Leste depends on this generation.”

Youth entrepreneurs representative Silvia Sdal added: “We as youth need to use our skills to motivate other young people to create their own labour market to support themselves and their community so that we do not need to be totally dependent on the Government. I am happy to work together with UNDP to create youth entrepreneurs in Timor-Leste.”

Youth representative Ms. Juvita Faria added: “It will be important for the Government to work together with the youth. Young people are intelligent and understand the policies but feel that they are not receiving enough support.”

The report recommends allocating 25 per cent of the state budget to education and training and calls for several reforms to achieve better quality education and the transformation of economically inactive youth into entrepreneurs in agriculture, tourism and other sectors of the economy that show potential for growth.

Closing the public seminar and policy debate, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Roy Trivedy said: “The launch of this report is the start of a discussion and requires commitment and investment from all parties to keep the discussion going and initiate action. Today is the start of a journey, through which we want to opportunities and for our workforce to be as productive as possible. UNDP and the UN system will do our best to work well with all of you.”