The world's newest democracy is developing its first civic education curriculum for schools. The first three-day workshop in the government's three-year curriculum development program attracted more than 200 teachers, administrators, and representatives from civil society organizations.

Following more than 450 years of foreign occupation, Timor-Leste is only in its third year of independence. Civics teachers struggle with textbooks and materials from many sources as they impart the principles of citizenship, democracy, and the rule of law to more than 55,000 students at 113 middle schools and 55 high schools across the country.

The recent workshop was the first step in designing a civic education standard for Timor-Leste by its own people. "Now is the time for you to decide on the kind of civic education that reflects Timorese life and should be used to teach our new generations," General Director of Education Domingos Sousa told the participants.

The workshop included question and answer sessions, brainstorming, and discussion groups to draft a curriculum outline. Published proceedings from the workshop will support all the upcoming activities. According to the curriculum development schedule, a pilot syllabus will be ready to test next year.

The program is being coordinated and implemented by Timor Aid in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Organizers will solicit input from a wide range of educators and experts. They will draw on information from other countries, including civic education curricula and theory.

USAID supported Timor Aid's initial workshop with a grant of $37,800. Development of a national civic education curriculum increases public involvement in civic affairs, and helps citizens understand and participate in their government.

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