Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2006 > Committee on Foreign Affairs > Report No. 04 - Project Timor-Leste

Appendix 4 Tom Hyland Submission

Submission from Tom Hyland.

I am currently teaching English to the staff here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation here in Timor -Leste. Although Portuguese has been chosen as the official language of the new nation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, has decided (wisely) that English is the language of the Ministry and Timorese diplomatic representation abroad.

This is due to the fact that English is the language of international diplomacy, trade etc. The official language of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) which Timor-Leste has applied for membership of is also English. This has brought me back to Timor-Leste as I am a qualified TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) teacher.

I am teaching English at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEC) and also at a number of NGOS (non governmental organisations) which I have been involved with over the years. The work with the Ministry is in fact capacity building for staff members and diplomatic staff who will be posted overseas. This involves classroom work as well as individual tuition.

I am receiving support from DCI for my work with the Ministry (MNEC) and the local NGOS. A grant has been made to the MNEC by Development Cooperation Ireland to cover teaching resources and materials, travel costs to and from Ireland, health insurance, salary, and living costs. This also covers the NGO sector.

Needless to say, I am not an expert on development. However, from contacts here in Timor, I have heard nothing but the highest praise for the work of DCI. I am aware of the work of DCI in supporting the UNDP program here in Timor as well as issues such as gender, good governance and investment.

As you know, Timor Leste is one of the priority countries for Development Cooperation Ireland and this is important for this country.

Last year, the Timorese Foreign Minister, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, visited Ireland. One issue that did come up for discussion was that Ireland would take on the role of a ‘Strategic Mentor’ in relation to Timor in areas such as investment, tourism and IT.

I’m not sure if this ‘idea’ has been followed through on but feel that it would be good if it were. I am of the opinion that Ireland could take one area (information technology - strengthening of the judicial system- economic investment) and concentrate on that chosen area. But this may already be covered by the support given by DCI to the UNDP.

Overall, I have confidence in the staff of the Irish Mission here in Dili as they are the experts in this field.

I hope this has been of some help to you and apologies about the rushed nature of my reply.

Best wishes

Tom