Strategic Plan
The Timor-Leste work of the organisation is informed by outcomes A.4 Learning, and B.1 Engagement and Empowerment of the Strategic Plan.
The VLGA will build partnerships with training bodies across Australia, Asia and the Pacific and facilitate quality training programs which strengthen the capacities for councillors, officers, and community members.
The VLGA will assist communities, groups, and individuals to engage and work effectively to achieve high levels of participation and engagement between local governments and their communities.
Role of Advisory Group
The role of the Timor-Leste Advisory Group is to advise the VLGA Board on policy and actions that will assist all levels of governments, administrations and communities in Timor-Leste to develop local democracy and good governance.
It will achieve this by:
Supporting local governments and Timor-Leste Friendship groups in the development of friendship relationships with Timor-Leste.
Working with all levels of government and with NGOs in Australia and Timor-Leste to develop the capacity of governments and communities in Timor-Leste to meeth the challenges of developing local democracy and good governance.
Raising the awareness in Australia (and particularly Victoria) of the issues that affect Timor-Leste.
VLGA Approach
The VLGA established a Timor-Leste Advisory Group that has supported the development of, currently, around 50 friendship relationships, involving nearly 60 local governments. The continuing development of friendship relationships reflects the enormous goodwill towards Timor-Leste and the people of Australia through their local governments and their communities.
While friendship groups are autonomous and operate independently, some principles apply to all the friendship relationships, namely:
- Respect and support for Timorese-led decision-making
- Assistance provided is sustainable
- Long-term commitment (10 year minimum)
- Relationships based on mutual respect and collaboration
The VLGA has sent observer delegations to the Presidential elections in 2002 and 2007 and the Parliamentary elections in 2007. The VLGA also co-ordinated the ‘Working Together for East Timor Conference and Expo’ in Melbourne in 2003, and co-hosted with the Timor-Leste Ministry of State Administration the ‘Strengthening Communities through International Friendship’ conference in Dili in 2008.
The VLGA will be represented at the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste in 2012, joining the ATLFN observer group. For further information about the observer mission:
Current Activity
‘Support the Victorian Government, local governments and friendship groups in the renewal of the Statement of Principles and the establishment of friendship groups.
Continue to investigate resourcing for a liaison and coordination of friendship group activities both in Australia and Timor-Leste and Australia’.
VLGA Contact
Timor-Leste Project Officer
Gary Jungwirth
T: +61 3 9349 7986
E:
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