YEO 2012_One Way Exchanges: The Timor-Leste (East Timor) Experience

One way Exchanges

The Timor-Leste (East Timor)

Experience

PDG Peter KayeD9550 Australia

Class of 2012

Solange Pinto Ribiero Pires Maria Jose Sanches

Why one-way?

D9550 is certified to support Outbound students only, as the government of Timor-Leste is yet to develop child protection laws.

Reciprocal exchanges therefore will be prohibited until such time Certification requirements can be met.

Timor-Leste (East Timor)

Champions for independence 2002

Coat of ArmsTimor-Leste

Xanana Gusmao Jose Ramos-Horta

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao with Rebounds 2008

Keeping the peace

Since independence in 2002, the UN has maintained a peace keeping force in East Timor recently lead by Australia.

Australian soldiers on patrolAustralian Major General Peter Cosgrove - right

Rotary District 9550Zone 8

___________

Natalino de Jesus SoaresClass of 2010

Timor Leste - Basic Statistics

Area 15,410 sq klm (5,950 sq miles) Government Democratic republic Population 1.1 Million (50% under 30) Languages Tetum and Portuguese (official

languages) Indonesian, English Religion Catholic – 96% Literacy 41% Income 42% of population $1 per day or

less Currency US Dollar

Rotary presence

One Rotary club RC of Dili

Membership Average 20

Programs Humanitarian

HealthWaterRotaract 65

(members)YEP (2 outbound

annually)

Elisabeth MonezClass of 06/07

Pelagia SoaresClass of 07/08

YEP History Timor-Leste

Non reciprocal agreement negotiated between D4610 Brazil and D9550 Australia in 2004, with first placement in 2005.

Two students selected each year for long term program since 2006

Hosting Brazil Districts 4610, 4650, 4430 and 4590

Students continue to travel to Australia for Orientation and training.

Rodolfo Testa

Peter Kaye

First student fromTimor-Leste 2005

Ligia Da Costa Santos

Why Brazil? • Brazil and East Timor share a common

background being colonised by the Portuguese in XVI century.

• Brazil was one of the first countries to recognise East Timor’s independence in 2002

• Brazil and East Timor share Portuguese as an official language.

• Rotary Brazil has adopted Timorese students, providing an opportunity of learning for the benefit of their young country.

Participants to date2004-05 Da Costa SANTOS Ligia2005-06 MENDONCA Sandra2006-07 MESQUITA Gisela2006-07 MONEZ Elizabeth2007-08 AMARAL Fernando2007-08 SOARES Pelagia2008-09 SOARES MENEZES Alberto2008-09 SOARES Ivo Jaime

Menezes2009-10 SOARES Natalino de

Jesus2009-10 GOMES de JESUS Herval

Duarte2011-12 PIRES Solange2011-12 SANCHES Maria

Ligia and RIP Glenn Estess 2005

The Agreement

D9550 obligations: All travel and visa costs to and from

Australia and to and from Brazil Insurance Blazer Emergency Fund

D4610 obligations Accommodation/hosting costs School expenses Pocket Money Tour

Elisabeth Monez 2006

Funding

D9550 provides 100% sponsorship for two students annually, funded by Rotary clubs who otherwise do not sponsor or host students. Total Cost $15,000

D4610 meets all expenses for the students while in Brazil. (approx. $5,000-$6,000 each)

Application process

Selection is by way of an application to the RC of Dili. With preliminary interviews carried out by a club panel.

Successful applicants given a full Rotary application for completion, then interviewed by District for final selection.

Applications forwarded to Brazil for

acceptance

Nat at home in Brazil

Sandra Mendonca in traditional dresswith host parents 2006

Challenges Poor communication within East Timor

Slow turn around time of paperwork

Multiple visas required

Nearest embassy in Jakarta Indonesia if

NZ stop over is required

Command of English for training and

travel

Customs and Immigration inflexible at

some airports

Funding

Herval Duarte Gomes de JesusClass of 2010

Sao Paulo

The benefits• The program offers an opportunity to

young people, who because of financial constraints might otherwise never experience life in another country.

• Enhance the use of Portuguese, which although an official language is not widely spoken in Timor-Leste.

• The experience has enhanced employment opportunities for some participants who have shown excellent character development.

• The awareness of the plight of young people in Timor-Leste is greater because of the program.

Post Exchange achievements

Sandra Mendonca2006

Secretary to the TL Minister of Foreign Affairs

Gisela Mesquita2007

Law scholarship University in the Philippines

Elizabeth Moniz2007

Studying law Deacon University Australia

Post Exchange achievements

Alberto Soares Menezes2009

Scholarship to study at UWC College Norway

Natalino de Jesus Soares2010

University studying International Relations

Herval Duarte Gomes de Jesus2010

University student studying Law

Comments - Brazil Perspective

• Thorough selection process by D9550 imperative clearly indicating school subjects of interest.

• Reasonable knowledge of Portuguese language

• Host Counsellor selection critical assuming the role of coach in addition to normal role

• Better results may be achieved with students over the age of 18 years

YEP- an observation

From time to time there are comments that YE is a program for the children of affluent Rotarians.

The Timor-Leste experience demonstrates that the principles of Rotary are at work, providing an equal opportunity to the youth of this young country.

QuestionCan the costs of this arrangement be justified?

Of all the successful traditional long term exchanges managed by D9550 Australia, none have had the profound impact on individual students as this one-way exchange program.

The value of this opportunity should not be measured in monetary terms, rather it should be measured in terms of Rotary ideals.

One way exchanges

Delivering Hope