Local Government Friendship Relationship Program

FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND TIMOR-LESTE (abridged version)

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Background

The Friendship Relationship program between local communities in Timor-Leste and local communities in Australian took its first steps in the 1999 popular consultation referendum supervised by the United Nations, when Darebin Councillor Rae Perry, representing Victoria Local Governance Association, participated as an international observer.

President’s Endorsement

The concept of Friendship Relationships came into fruition early in 2000 after the visit of then leader of CNRT (National Council of Timorese Resistance) and the former President and now Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, GCL . He signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Timor-Leste with Victorian Local Governance Association, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Minister for Local Government in Victoria.

Objective of Friendship Relationship program

Mr. Abel Guterres, now the Consul-General of Timor-Leste in Sydney, and Councillor Rae Perry initiated the program with the aim of developing friendship, support and cross-cultural understanding at a grass-roots level between the people of Timor-Leste and the people of Australia and New Zealand through local governments.

World War II

Historically, a strong link has existed between Australians and East Timorese. This dates back to the days of World War II when Timorese villagers, without coercion, helped the young Australian diggers as they battled against the Japanese army. Some 40,000 East Timorese villagers were killed by the Japanese in reprisal for their spontaneous support for the Australians. After the withdrawal of Australian troops the then Australian Government dropped hundreds of leaflets by air over the villages in Timor-Leste that read: “Your friends do not forget you.” These words, although noble, were not remembered in 1975 when Indonesia invaded Timor-Leste. However, this is now history and we need to look to the future.

The friendship that was forged between the diggers and the villagers remained strong in the families and the communities in Timor-Leste. However, the friendship did not flourish any further from 1945 to 1975 due to continued Portuguese colonial rule, compounded by the 24 years of Indonesia military occupation until 1999.

United Nations Popular Consultation Referendum

Post the 1999 Popular Consultation and the 2002 independence of Timor-Leste, a more formal Friendship Cities program was established to rekindle the friendship. It is now flourishing, as the communities make arrangements to support and interact with each other.

Aid, Solidarity and Support

Timor-Leste is receiving support from the Australian Federal Government in Canberra, through AusAid programs, from the states, especially NSW and Victoria, and from the Local Government through the Friendship Relationships program and numerous non-government organisations, such as Australian Volunteers International, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, Australian Peoples Humanitarian International Development Aid, churches, community groups, and service clubs such as Rotary International, Lions International, and Kiwanis International. The New Zealand Government, communities and non-government organisations, such as VSA, Oxfam New Zealand and CORSO, have all provided assistance.


Friendship Schools

Within each local government area there are schools, churches and community groups, and service clubs that can also make a friendship link with the respective Districts and Sub-Districts in Timor-Leste. The ALOLA Foundation run by Timor-Leste’s First Lady, Mrs. Kirsty Sword Gusmão, is coordinating the Friendship Schools Program with the Ministries of Education, State Administration and Foreign Affairs.

Pioneering Role
Good Neighbourhood, Peaceful Coexistence and Economic Interaction

At a broader level, these friendships and interactions will result in good neighbourhood, peaceful coexistence, future economic and business trade between Timor-Leste and its two neighbours.