Dili, June 26, 2019 (Lusa)
The 7th edition of the Timor-Leste Studies Association (TLSA) conference, held in Dili under the theme “Understanding Timor-Leste”, marks the 20th anniversary of the country’s independence referendum. The biennial event brings together over 200 researchers and academics from Timor-Leste, Portugal, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.
Record Participation
“This year we have a record number of participants, with more than 200 interventions and the largest participation of Timorese academics since the first edition that took place ten years ago,” said Michael Leach, one of the conference organisers.
The conference is co-organised by:
- Timor Lorosa’e National University (UNTL)
- Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
- National Centre Arrive
Sessions take place across nearly a dozen spaces within the UNTL campus, with parallel discussions covering a wide range of topics.
Languages and Inclusivity
The conference operates in four languages — Tetum, Portuguese, Indonesian, and English — reflecting both Timor-Leste’s official and working languages.
“The most important thing is to have communications in the four languages… and to have the conference in Dili, thus giving Timorese academics an opportunity to present their research to international colleagues,” Leach noted.
Key Topics and Panels
The programme covers a broad spectrum of issues, including:
- The 1999 independence referendum and its 20-year legacy
- Decolonisation of knowledge, led by Timorese scholar Josh Trindade
- Gender research and gender-based violence in Timor-Leste
- Reproductive and sexual health
- International solidarity movement with Timor-Leste
- The role of the UN in the transition to independence
- Tourism, small industry, and language development
- Archives, land and property registration
- Tradition and the fisheries sector
- Nutrition
Academic Book Launches
Alongside the conference, several academic books on Timor-Leste will be launched, with contributions from:
| Author | Country |
|---|---|
| Josh Trindade | Timor-Leste |
| Rui Graça Feijó | Portugal |
| Kelly Silva | Brazil |
| Daniel Simião | Brazil |
| Keu Apoema | Brazil |
| Michael Leach | Australia |
| André McWilliam | Australia |