Young Citizens' Experiences of Development and Democracy in Timorleste
Timor-Leste’s independence was forged at a time when international developmental theory had rejected top down approaches and recognised the importance of participatory approaches. When the United Nations and a multitude of bilateral and multilateral non-government organisations arrived in Timor-Leste in 1999 it was hoped that the international intervention would at last produce a development success story. But independence also brought the realisation that dreams for an independent Timor-Leste varied, often according to the dreamer’s generation. Three generations of Timorese: the political elite, a younger generation of independence activists (gerasaun foun) and today’s youth of independent Timor-Leste, each bring their own experiences and face different challenges in Timor-Leste. Today stark contrasts between the values of customary life and those of the modernising world place both community leaders and young Timorese at a crossroads. The experiences of the Timorese are unique, but this book reflects a broader analysis about how aid-influenced processes of development can work in greater harmony with people to realise their own visions of the future of the nation.
Young Citizens' Experiences of Development and Democracy in Timorleste
Timor-Leste’s independence was forged at a time when international developmental theory had rejected top down approaches and recognised the importance of participatory approaches. When the United Nations and a multitude of bilateral and multilateral non-government organisations arrived in Timor-Leste in 1999 it was hoped that the international intervention would at last produce a development success story. But independence also brought the realisation that dreams for an independent Timor-Leste varied, often according to the dreamer’s generation. Three generations of Timorese: the political elite, a younger generation of independence activists (gerasaun foun) and today’s youth of independent Timor-Leste, each bring their own experiences and face different challenges in Timor-Leste. Today stark contrasts between the values of customary life and those of the modernising world place both community leaders and young Timorese at a crossroads. The experiences of the Timorese are unique, but this book reflects a broader analysis about how aid-influenced processes of development can work in greater harmony with people to realise their own visions of the future of the nation.