Dili, September 18, 2026 – The Centro Nacional Chega! I.P., through its Chega! Young Ambassador (CYA) Program in collaboration with Timor-Leste Youth for Peace (TLYFP), organized Chega! Museum Day to commemorate the 16th year of the International Day of Peace in Timor-Leste. This year’s global theme was “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The central theme focused on “Together We Begin with Intergenerational Dialogue to Build Sustainable Development and Prepare for Your Future Career.” The two-day event took place from September 17 to 18 and included workshops, an exhibition, and live music.
The event aimed to enhance youth and students’ knowledge regarding historical memories, peace, human rights, and peacebuilding. It aimed to facilitate a deeper understanding of the conflict’s impact and the significance of conflict resolution, and to provide an opportunity for mutual reflection on the history of the past.
At the opening ceremony for the International Day of Peace, Hugo Maria Fernandes, Executive Director of Centro Nacional Chega!, congratulated CYA and TLYFP for organizing the activities to celebrate this important day in Timor-Leste.
The Director emphasized that teenagers play a vital role as agents of change in society and must engage in such activities to foster understanding of peace and promote better development. He noted that history has shown that many conflicts arise from differences in ideologies, strategies, and political divergences. Therefore, it is crucial for young people to actively participate in building peace and stability.
“Centro Nacional Chega! appreciates the partnership. I hope that today’s and tomorrow’s activities continue to facilitate mutual experiences and maintain connections to share our missions. Although we have faced many conflicts, they ultimately led us to independence. We are proud to be a small country that fought without support from other nations,” the Director encouraged.
Additionally, Feliz Piedade, Operational Head of g7+, congratulated the youth for celebrating the International Day of Peace, reminding them of their responsibility to contribute to peace within society.
“We are now an independent and free country, thanks to the sacrifices of many heroes. In today’s context, young people must act as peace agents within society. They should strive to address problems instead of merely complaining. Promoting peace is not solely the responsibility of the state and government; it is a collective duty that includes young people,” he stated.
The Chega! Young Ambassador, in collaboration with TLYFP, organized Chega! Museum Day to celebrate the International Day of Peace in Timor-Leste, reflecting Centro Chega!’s vision of “inclusive societies, a past that must not be repeated, living peacefully, and respecting human rights.” Its mission focuses on establishing post-conflict centers, preserving the memories of the past, promoting human rights values, building national and international partnerships, and strengthening networks to implement the relevant recommendations from the final reports of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR) – Chega!, and the Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) – Per Memoriam Ad Spem.
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