In Timor-Leste, 74% of the population are under the age of 35, most of which are neither in education nor employment. Sonia da Costa, a 26-year old university graduate is not part of this group of youth. While studying, she worked voluntarily at Timor-Leste Youth Leadership Development Programme (TLYDP) to provide leadership training and organise empowerment events for her fellow youth. Beside that, she has been working at Kafe Letefoho as a barista.

Recognising her contribution for youth development, Sonya was awarded the position of SDG Youth Ambassador in 2017. She believes that SDG 4 ‘quality education’ is the most important for the future of youth in Timor-Leste. Sonya reinforces that both quality education and gender equality can improve the capacity of youths, and specifically the more vulnerable, female youths.

‘I believe in Timor-Leste a lot still has to be done to embrace the position of a woman and to make her realise her capacity. As a female, my favourite thing about my role is to be able to promote the power of females. Instead of saying women also can, we should say women can,’  she states.

As SDG Ambassador, Sonya involved in the development of the Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Centre. The Knua Centre is a one-stop-shop for youth innovation and entrepreneurship where all youth are welcome to use the empowerment services related to business development, employability, and voices.

‘The youth are the machine for the development of the country. As an SDG Ambassador, I love focussing on youth voices. I want to promote volunteer work to all youth, because good things happen when you invest your knowledge.

'At Knua Centre, I learn about the youth every day, but I also learn about myself every day. They have taught me how to become a better leader, how to implement the SDGs in my everyday life, and how to facilitate a strong team,’ she comments.

Sonya claims that the Knua Centre is a place for positive reinforcement. As a youth ambassador, Sonya has focussed on spreading positive messages to the youth. Her work includes engaging in seminars, workshops, and community events.

Sonya spoke at the launch of the 4^th National Human Development Report (NHDR) entitled, ‘Planning the Opportunities for a Youthful Population’. Among other things, the report calls for greater investment in education and training to unlock youth potential. Thus, Sonya encouraged the youth of Timor-Leste to feel motivated and seek opportunities to realise their potential.

‘The whole team at the centre make you feel like you are welcome. I want to say that youth need to come forward and embrace their opportunities. Come to the Knua Centre, don’t stay home, come and share your ideas and information. We should motivate the future generation to take their own responsibility for their futures, so we can use their innovative and creative ideas,’  she states.

About Knua Juventude Fila-Liman:
Knua Juventude Fila-Liman is a one-stop shop for youth entrepreneurship, innovation and employment. The eentre is managed and sponsored by UNDP Timor-Leste. At the eentre, all youth are welcome to receive technical and financial support. The centre manages and trains youth entrepreneurs. The focus is to empower their business skills and promote youth employability in the private sector. At the Knua Centre youth are stimulated to participate in the development process in Timor-Leste.