Supporting Election Violence Monitoring and Response
In the leadup to the June 30 parliamentary elections, USAID partners, IFES and BELUN are training civil society groups to server as monitors for election-related violence. The US Government-funded training is part of the Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) project, an initiative that aims to develop the capacity of civil society to monitor, analyze and respond to incidences of election-related conflicts. (June 5, 2007)

Micro-Finance Association Briefs Minister of Development
With the Ministry currently planning to reorganize and have microfinance as one of the focus areas of a major division, the Micro-Credit Association of Timor-Leste (AMFITIL) gave a presentation to the Minister and his staff on microfinance activities in the country. The Minister expressed interest in supporting microfinance in Timor-Leste as a way to eradicate poverty; AMFITIL, on the other hand, expressed hope to establish good relations with the Government. AMFITIL is an umbrella organization for micro-finance providers being funded and supported by USAID through its Small Grants Program and Private Sector Development Project. (June 5, 2007)

Mobilizing Media and Civil Society in Avian Influenza Awareness Campaign
The Task Force on Preparedness and Response to Avian Influenza, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) recently held a day-long seminar to share and synchronize the latest information on Avian Influenza with the media and civil society, and through the latter, with the communities. The Task Force also updated participants on the communication and public awareness activities on the control and prevention of Avian Influenza in Timor-Leste that USAID is funding through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The seminar is part of the USAID-FAO-MAFF public awareness project. (June 5, 2007)