Angelina Sarmento

Lita Sarmento, former DTP participants (2005), presently as the Liaison Officer of HIVOS (a Dutch Humanist Development Organization) and recently joined UNESCO National Commission as Secretary General. Her previous involvement as a Student Activist back in 1998 engaged her more deeply with civil society organization and the Chair of the NGO FORUM in 2005 when she played a very crucial role in contributing to prevent further escalation of the 2006 political crisis. She was elected by the Parliament as the Election Commissioner for 6 years, contributing significantly to the smooth electoral process which took place in 2007 and 2012. She organized two Presidential elections (first and second round) in 2007 and 2012, two Parliamentary elections in 2007 and 2012 as well as the Local Authorities election in 2009. She is part of long-time International solidarity network of Asian groups (Asia Pacific Coalition for East Timor). She has been a regular resource person for the DTP Annual Training program.