Vocational education
In recognition that education and training are critical to the sustainable development of Timor-Leste, the ACT Government's Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) has provided ongoing support to the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) since 2003. This has included staff training and exchanges, curriculum development and provision of resource material and equipment.
Timor-Leste, Dili District Administrator Radio Network
Under the Canberra Dili Friendship Agreement the ACT Government made available funding of $48,565 for the installation and maintenance of radio communication facilities for the Dili District Administration.
Installation of the radio facilities was undertaken by Connect East Timor (CET), a special project of Palms Australia, consisting of volunteers who deploy radio communications into some of the most remote areas of East Timor.
In addition, the ACT Emergency Services Agency contributed surplus radio equipment, which was deployed in offices and vehicles belonging to the Dili District Administration.
The radio communications network went live in September 2007, creating links between the Dili district Administration office, the island of Atauro and municipal service depots for the first time. The system was well received by users and played a key role in the response to the unfortunate shooting of the Timor-Leste Prime Minister, Jose Ramos Horta. This demonstrates the significance of this network to the Timor-Leste community.
Temporary Embassy for the Republic of Timor-Leste in Canberra
Beyond the confines of the Friendship Agreement, the ACT Government assisted the East Timorese establish an Embassy for Timor-Leste in Canberra, located in the former Griffith Primary School. This was handed over by ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope to East Timorese Ambassador Jorge Da Conceicao Teme in December 2003, and served until a purpose-built Embassy was completed in 2009.
The ACT Government is working with the Embassy staff and officials in Dili to progress a number of other projects.
