TIMOR-LESTE: Future Lies in the Young Nation’s Hands

Timor-Leste is a young nation in every sense. Nine years after achieving formal independence in 2002, ending 24 years of savage occupation by the Indonesian army, half of its population of 1.1 million is under the age of 18.

POLITICS-EAST TIMOR: ‘The Quality of Women Is Very Important’

For more than seven years, the men and women of East Timor have been working to rebuild their nation after a destructive 24-year occupation by the Indonesian army.

RIGHTS-EAST TIMOR: Women Learn the Political Ropes

Like many women in East Timor, 34-year-old Mariquita Soares joined the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) party during the nation's 24-year resistance struggle against Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999.