Peace education, launched through cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, expands across the national education system
Building a Vision for Peace Education in a Post-Independence Nation
For the Government of Timor-Leste, which has been working to promote social integration and stability since gaining independence, fostering ethical values among future generations became an urgent priority. The government’s educational vision of encouraging coexistence instead of conflict aligned closely with HWPL’s commitment to promoting a culture of peace. This shared vision laid the foundation for a long-term partnership between the two sides.
From a Peace Walk in Dili to an Official Education Policy Framework
This partnership began with the 525 Peace Walk held on the streets of the capital city, Dili, in May 2023, where the Minister of Education participated as a keynote speaker.
Witnessing citizens and students unite around the values of peace, the Ministry decided that the initiative should not remain a one-time event. Instead, it began practical cooperation with HWPL to incorporate peace education into the country’s official education policy framework.
Establishing the Institutional Foundation for Peace Education
Cooperation with HWPL soon translated into concrete administrative action by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture, which oversees higher education nationwide. In September 2023, Minister José Honório da Costa Pereira and presidents from major universities attended the 9th HWPL World Peace Summit, where they learned about successful examples of peace education implemented around the world.
Recognizing that “future generations should inherit peace rather than the scars of conflict,” the Ministry immediately moved from vision to implementation after returning home. It issued official administrative directives encouraging universities across the country to introduce Peace Educator Training programs and information sessions. Supported by these institutional measures, peace education were introduced at a number of higher education institutions in Timor-Leste.
Building a Systematic Network of Government Partnerships
As the educational vision of the Timor-Leste government aligned with HWPL’s peace education curriculum, the partnership expanded their cooperation through a series of formal agreements.
With the shared goal of establishing a sustainable framework for peace education, HWPL and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 16, 2024, officially institutionalizing cooperation in higher education. Building on this momentum, HWPL also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education on August 28, 2025, extending cooperation to primary, secondary, and general public education. Together, the gradual and proactive efforts of these two key ministries established the institutional foundation for integrating peace education throughout Timor-Leste’s entire national education system.
