Dili, 15 September 2010 - Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Timor-Leste (SRSG), Ameerah Haq and the Minister of Education, João Câncio Freitas opened the finals of the nationwide speech championship for high school students, in Dili this morning.

Organized by the Ministry of Education to mark International Day of Democracy, today's event is the culmination of a two month round of debates by more than 145 high school students in all 13 districts of Timor-Leste. The theme and topic – "As a citizen of Timor-Leste what does democracy mean to you?"

Addressing the finalists, SRSG Ameerah Haq pointed out that today's International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity for the Timorese people to reflect on their struggle and hopes for democratic freedoms and guarantees.

"Its celebration, symbolizes Timor's achievements from post conflict to democratic nation building. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the national governing bodies, civil society, international community, and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere."

Democracy, one of the universal core values of the United Nations, is based on the freely expressed will of the people and closely linked to the rule of law and exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms. On 8 November 2007, the General Assembly proclaimed 15 September as the International Day of Democracy, inviting Member States, the United Nations system and other regional, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to commemorate the Day.

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KOMUNIKADU-IMPRENSA HUSI UNMIT

Kompetisaun Nasionál Diskursu marka Loron Internasionál Demokrasia nian iha Timor-Leste

Dili, 15 Setembru 2010 – Reprezentante Espesiál husi Sekretáriu-Jerál Nasoins Unidas nian ba Timor-Leste (RESJ), Ameerah Haq no Ministru Edukasaun, João Câncio Freitas ohin dadeer iha Dili loke Finál kompetisaun nasionál debate ba estudante eskola sekundária nian.

Ho organizasaun husi Ministériu Edukasaun hodi marka Loron Internasionál Demokrasia nian, eventu ohin ne'e nu'udar momentu ikus no importante liu depoizde kompetisaun debate durante fulan rua ho partisipasaun husi estudante liu na'in-145 husi eskola sekundária sira iha distritu 13 hotu Timor-Leste nian. Ninia tema no tópiku mak ne'e: "Nu'udar sidadaun Timor-Leste nian, demokrasia signifika saida ba Ita-Boot?"

Bainhira RESJ Ameerah Haq ko'alia ba finalista sira, nia subliña katak Loron Internasionál Demokrasia nian ohin ne'e fó oportunidade ba povu timoroan atu hanoin fali sira-nia luta no sira-nia esperansa ba liberdade no garantia demokrátika sira.

"Ninia selebrasaun simboliza susesu oioin Timor-Leste nian husi pós-konflitu ba prosesu harii nasaun demokrátika. Demokrasia nu'udar objetivu ida maibé mós nu'udar prosesu ida, no só ho partisipasaun no apoiu tomak husi komunidade internasionál, órgaun governu nasionál sira, sosiedade sivíl no indivíduu sira, maka ideál demokrasia bele sai realidade ne'ebé ema hotu-hotu bele hetan, iha fatin hotu-hotu."

Demokrasia, nu'udar ida husi valór universál fundamentál sira Nasoins Unidas nian, bazeia ba vontade povu nian ne'ebé fó-sai ho liberdade no iha ligasaun metin ho Estadu Direitu nian no ezersísiu direitus umanus no liberdade fundamentál sira. Iha 8 Novembru 2007, Asembleia Jerál proklama loron 15 Setembru nu'udar Loron Internasionál Demokrasia nian, no konvida Estadu-Membru sira, sistema Nasoins Unidas no organizasaun rejionál, inter-governamentál no la-governamentál seluseluk atu selebra Loron ne'e.

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