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)
