A number of events both within Dili and elsewhere in Timor-Leste have been organized under the theme of "Together, working for the future of Timor Leste"

The day will begin with the screening of the video message by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to UN staff and guests in Dili as well as at UNMIT's regional offices in Oecussi, Maliana and Baucau.

At Dili's Memorial Hall, UNMIT will hold an open house for the general public on 24 October between 10am and 5.30pm. The scheduled activities include an information fair featuring 10 UN agencies working in Timor-Leste, a UN film festival and a photo exhibit entitled "Daran Labilan: Towards a Bright Future", which provides the opportunity for Timorese photographers to showcase their work.

In the spirit of international partnership, the International Centre for Journalists has co-sponsored the photo exhibit, providing the funds for the framing of the pictures. The Exhibit will be displayed at Memorial Hall until 30 November and will then tour the country starting in Baucau and moving to Maliana and Oecussi.

Representatives from the UN and its agencies will be on hand to explain their work in Timor-Leste as well as distribute information about the UN's role in the country.

As part of the Film Festival, video and multi-media programmes produced by the UN and International NGOs such as Avocats Sans Frontières will be screened. Themes include the contribution by Timor-Leste to the UN, peacekeeping, justice, security and health. A film on this year's presidential and parliamentary elections featuring interviews with President José Ramos-Horta and the Under Secretary-General, Jean Marie Guéhenno, will also be shown.

To celebrate UN day, a radio call-in quiz to raise awareness about the United Nations will be broadcast on national radio beginning today and will run through Friday.

For more information please call UNMIT Spokesperson Allison Cooper on +670 7230453