Feb. 1, 2010 - TDB employee part of Development and Peace, Solidarity Trip to East Timor

On February 21st, members from the BC/Yukon Region of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE are traveling to East Timor as part of a 12 person delegation. During the stay in East Timor the group will be meeting with the organizations that DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has been supporting in the country since East Timor sought its independence in 1999. This will be a high profile event as it will be the first such visit from Canada. This 18 day trip brings together people from throughout British Columbia coming from Prince George, Ft. St John, Oliver, Abbotsford, Sidney and 2 staff members from the Montreal Office.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE played a role in the transition leading to East Timor's independence following the arrival of the United Nations in September 1999 to temporarily govern the country after the withdrawal of Indonesia. DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE was one of the first non government organizations (NGO) in East Timor, supporting a variety of programs ranging from capacity building, human rights promotion and strengthening civil society organizations. The group's aim is to dialogue and be in solidarity with local people working for social justice while gaining a better understanding of the local situation. As the world's newest country of the millenium, East Timor is emerging from over 425 years as a Portuguese colony, followed by 25 years of Indonesian occupation and rule. The path to independence has taken a severe toll on the people of this tiny nation of 900,000. During the recent 25 years of occupation, it is estimated that over 180,000 people were killed; many more were victimized and suffered dire hardship.

The work of DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is based on the belief that the people within the country are best able to come up with the solutions needed to transform their circumstance. The DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE funds have been used to support new and emerging national organizations particularly focusing on bettering the situation for women, from empowerment within society and governance, promoting employment for women in rural and remote areas to overcoming the personal tragedies suffered by so many including issues of domestic violence. Work also continues in analysing and participating in new policy formation, Justice and Peace Commissions and the establishment of the first radio station in the country to increase communications to the people as a public service broadcaster.

The DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE members will be travelling from February 21st to March 10th with the delegation consisting of Roberta and Dale Dodge, Mary and Paul Doyle, John Gabor, Rev Rolf Hasenack, O.P., Dorothy and Dick Mynen, Gerhild Neugebauer, Linda Olaksew, Fiona Connelly and Jess Agustin. The delegation's progress will be updated through a Trip Blog; http://timorleste2010.blogspot.com.

For more information please contact Dick Mynen at dick.mynen@tdb.ca or 250-565-4764, visit www.devp.org.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to being able to raise the general awareness of the situation in East Timor to better help those who could use our support in solidarity.

Dick Mynen, Solidarity Trip Coordinator, BC/Yukon Region, Development and Peace - 250-565-4764, dick.mynen@tdb.ca