Opportunity Building:

A Different Approach for

Timor-Leste

To hear a hundred times is not as good as to see once.

Chinese Proverb

Steven M. Sigler
Transforming Timor-Leste Conference July 2009
Dili, Timor-Leste
s
s
Despite loneliness, isolation from friends and family, and occasional
racism or ignorance by European Australians, I persisted with my
studies in Tasmania and completed my course in woodwork after
one year. During my time in Tasmania without any family members
from Arnhem Land, I was billeted with a host family, who taught me
about the Western way. In due time, I had acquired sufficient
knowledge of the English language, culture and society at large to
function adequately in previously hostile environment. I had learnt
the Balanda way.

Waṉamilil in Trudgen (2003)

The “how” and the “why” is found in tacit
knowledge acquired through actual hands-on,
experiential learning in the company of those
one trusts unreservedly.
 Capacity Building
or
Opportunity Building?

Enhancing a developing countries “ability to perform

functions, solve problems and set and achieve
objectives” (UNDP, 2002).

Or

Enabling “people to retain and build on” the resources

and capacities they already possess (Eade, 1997).
 The How
An Overseas Apprenticeship Program:

Recognizes sojourners from workforce communities can be an
important development resource.

Demand driven.

Targets the young and unemployed from the trades,
agricultural, and small business communities.

Stages of the Sojourning process:


Pre-departure.

Host-country residence.

Returning Home.
 Pre-Departure
• National advisors - recruit participants.
• National / International advisors - cross-cultural orientation:

History and legal system.

Climate and physical environment.

Cultural norms, values, and beliefs (social system).

Health and hygiene practices.

Learning styles and work routines.

Social skills.

Legal rights and responsibilities.

Who to go to if problems occur.
• Extended to as long as six months.
• Focus on language and intercultural communication skills
 Host-Country Residence
Host-country advisors/mentors -
• Provide orientation program:

Reinforce & clarify information from pre-departure program.

Language training throughout stay.

Income support.

Opportunities to socialize.
• Has power to send sojourner home early.
• Are involved in sojourner's life from first day:

Formal meetings and interviews.

Providing information and direction.

Engaging in informal discussions and gatherings.

Observing individual progress and behavior.

Monitoring work place environment and treatment.

Asking again and again, “How’s it going?”
 Returning Home

Most critical stage of the sojourn:

Reorientation seminar.

Assistance finding employment or financing enterprise start-
ups and obtaining equipment, resources, and information.

Advice and help coping emotionally and psychologically with
return.


Mentors to guide reintegration and livelihood building
activities:

Provide physical, emotional, and mental support

Help join social networks.

Answer the question “Why?”
 The Role of the GoTL
• In conjunction with other state and private sector development
initiatives:

Recruit sojourners based on market needs of communities.

Find sojourners through community consultation and linkages with
agricultural, vocational, and business association, as well as
training centers.

• With understanding of a community's needs:


Promote the program.

Recruit participants.

Prepare pre-departure program.

Support host-country residence planning.
• Conclude bilateral agreements with receiving states:

Make apprenticeships available.

Ensure accountability.

Guarantee welfare and human rights of sojourners.

Inhibit permanent migration.
 The Role of the GoTL
• Prepare for the sojourners' return home:

Continue to enact and enforce laws and regulations that
support stable and safe working environments.

Continue to develop infrastructure in rural districts.

Continue to initiate policies that promote
entrepreneurship.

Begin to create programs that will specifically support
the sojourners’ activities in creating a livelihood upon
their return home.
 The Why
Governing Body
Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary

Communication and Transportation Systems

Security
Human Needs Education Employment
Diplomacy
Food/Water Pre-K to 12 Cottage
Military
Housing/Utilities Trade School Industry
Police
Waste Disposal College Business
Social Ser.
Health Care University Agriculture
Emergency
Environment Adult Ed. Manufacturing
Ser.
Community Org. Import/Export
Banking

Taxes
 Obrigadu barak
Thank you very much
Mahalo nui loa
and
Aloha