32nd Annual Program Participants Welcomed To The Presidency By DTP Founder and Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta

The first day of DTP’s 32^nd Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training program ended with a special audience with DTP Founder and President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta.

The participants, as well as staff from local partners The Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) and the UNTL Human Rights Centre, met with the President at the Kantina Matak on the grounds of the Presidential Palace. He shared stories from his time as young advocate travelling the world seeking support and solidarity for the Timorese fight for independence, stating that it was these experiences that led him to want to establish the Diplomacy Training Program in order to assist other advocates like him navigate the international system.

Mixed in with anecdotes, the President provided participants with strategic advocacy points and tips on being effective.

His session was followed by less formal conversations with participants over afternoon tea. Participants were both inspired and amazed at how informed and approachable the President is.

DTP’s 32^nd Annual Program brings together 28 human rights defenders from 14 countries across the Asia Pacific region. It is held together with the Global Campus of Human Rights, in partnership with JSMP and the UNTL Human Rights Centre. The program runs for two weeks, closing on 23^rd August.

The Diplomacy Training Program's 32^nd Annual Human Rights and People's Diplomacy capacity building program receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.