The Growth of Civil Society in Timor-Leste: Three Moments of Activism |
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Authors: | Ann Wigglesworth |
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Institution: | 1. Monash Asia Institute, Monash University , Caulfield , Victoria , Australia annww@ozemail.com.au |
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Abstract: | During the dramatic upheavals and conflicts that have accompanied political independence in Timor-Leste, Timorese activists have made an important, sometimes overlooked, contribution. This paper highlights the significant roles they played at three major turning points over the past 15 years – the Santa Cruz massacre in 1991, the UN-sponsored independence ballot in 1999 and the political-military crisis in 2006. Each one of these events was a starting point for a new phase in Timorese development history and a new phase in the growth of Timorese civil society. The personal reflections of Timorese activists provide poignant insight into their changing focus of activism as Timor-Leste became independent. Their “active citizenship” provided a mechanism to both contribute to and contest the mainstream nation-building processes which were, in some cases, perceived to be overly influenced by Western standards and often failed to acknowledge or respect Timorese culture and traditions. |
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Keywords: | Civil society active citizenship Timor-Leste young people post-conflict |
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