The Timor-Leste government's Land and Property Unit (LPU) is now printing detailed maps of each of the country's 13 districts. Seven staff members are learning to apply the finer points of geographic information system (GIS) software to the maps, aided by a specialist trainer funded by USAID.

The work by LPU staff is part of the government's efforts to resolve many of the long-standing land ownership disputes in Timor-Leste. As part of the Ministry of Justice, the LPU is responsible for land titling, cadastre (a catalog of real estate ownership), mapping, land management, and policy and legislation development on land issues. The nation's turbulent history over the past quarter century has resulted in many conflicting claims over land. Accurate and detailed maps supplied by the LPU help local administrators resolve disputes using the new land law, passed in 2003.

LPU staff members in the 3-month training program are using the latest GIS software programs for their work, including ArcView, which is used around the world for mapping applications. In conjunction with the computer training, staff members have conducted field surveys to ensure the accuracy of their maps.

Jaime Xavier Lopes, head of the cadastre and land information section of the LPU, said, “This training is very important to us. In just a few weeks we have learned so many things." He added that because the trainer speaks Portuguese and English, there is no communication problem with the students, which allows them to get to grips with the training materials faster.

USAID has supported the LPU with a series of grants totaling almost $330,000 since December 2002. The current grant covers the cost of the specialist trainer, software licenses, and a large-format plotter for printing detailed maps. With more accurate and detailed maps, Timor-Leste's government will be better able to address issues of land tenure and policy, investors will have a more reliable basis for their business decisions, and citizens will have access to better information about their property

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