Civic education programme ends in East Timor: UN

A programme to train civic educators in East Timor ended today in Dili, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) has announced.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the end of the programme, UNTAET head Sergio Vieira de Mello said that the educators would play a crucial role in the construction of a new East Timor, by strengthening public consciousness of rights and responsibilities.

Mr. de Mello also said that the trainers should pay particular attention to women and youth, since those groups would play a fundamental role in building peace, democracy and stability in East Timor.

Fifty-two representatives from all 13 of the territory's districts took part in the training, which focused on the upcoming Constituent Assembly election, human rights, peace, stability, security and democracy. Participants will form district teams of trainers and serve as community facilitators for a civic education campaign.