Dili, City of Peace

H.E. President Jose Ramos-Horta has initiated the “Dili City of Peace” campaign. Members of the new generation, who are actively contributing to various fields of Timorese life, are being brought together to express and explore their ideas on the creation of sustainable peace.

“Dili, City of Peace” is the Presidential initiative to turn Dili into a model of peace. Its objective is to promote peaceful social conditions in order to support the consolidation of national stability, sovereignty and unity in Timor-Leste.

The decision to choose Dili as the starting point for this initiative was taken because Dili is often the starting place for social trends. Further, it was indeed in Dili that the problems which led to the 2006 crisis first emerged. So it is from Dili that this program aims to begin to scatter the seeds of peace throughout the country.

Major events such as the Tour de Timor help consolidate national stability and unity by fostering pride at the national level and providing opportunities for communities to rally together in cooperation and problem-solving to host international participants. The events are also successful in demonstrating the harmony and success of security institutions in peacetime activities.

Following the inaugural Tour de Timor, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reduced its travel advisory level from a Level 4 to a Level 3, bringing Timor-Leste on par with countries such as Brazil, India, Costa Rica, and Egypt.