Timor Leste

By Mr. Alberto Piedade

Fuiloro, Timor Leste, 24 December 2018 -- The National Federation of DB Past Pupils in Timor-Leste held its 5th Congress to elect new leadership and its structure for the National Federation period of 2018-2023 in Fuiloro, Lautem.

The congress took place over three days from 21-23 December 2018, involving 115 participants from 9 local Associations (Centres) namely: Dili, Maliana, Baucau, Fatumaca, Venilale, Laga, Quelicai, Fuiloro and Lospalos.

The official opening began with Eucharist on the first day, followed by revision of congress regulations led by Mr Gregorio Ferreira da Silva as the President of the organizing committee and his team. To ensure the congress runs succesfully the forum nominated 3 delegates to the presidency: Mr Gualdino da Silva (Dili as Chair), Mrs. Maria Ligia (Fuiloro as Vice-Chair) and Mr Mateus Ferreira (Dili as Secretary).

Another team was the electoral committee, composed of: Mr Acacio Guterres (Secretary General for the National Federation), Mr Augusto Ximenes (President of Baucau Association) and Fr Mario do Rosario, SDB (National Delegate DB Past Pupils).

During the Congress there were three presentations:

1. TLS Provincial, Fr Apolinario Ornai Neto, SDB on the mission of past pupils and Rector Major's message,
2. Youth Ministry Delegate, Fr João da Costa Boavida, SDB on what past pupils can do for the young and poor,
3. Councilor GEX (Youthful Past Pupils) Asia-Oceania, Mr Alberto Alves Piedade on report on animation in the EAO region as well as the World Confederation Priorities to encourage new leadership to adopt and work together to achieve expected outcomes. The revision of the Statutes took place and one article was added to create the Vice-President for Youth, among other amendments.

Then the electoral committee presented 3 sets of candidates for President and Vice-President for Youth approved by the TLS Provincial. The following were candidates: Mr Agustinho Gonçalves & Mr Venancio Freitas; Mr Alexandre Freitas & Mr Azevedo Marçal and Mr Agustinho Gonçalved & Mr Alberto Piedade. Mr. Alexandre Freitas and Mr. Azevedo Marçal were elected as the President of the National Federation (NFDBPP) Timor Leste and Vice-President for Youth for the period of 2018-2023. The new leadership presented their 7 pointprograms based on the World Confederation 7 priorities.

The closing ceremony was marked by the formal installation of the new leadership during the celebration of the Eucharist for the 4th Sunday of Advent, celebrated of Fr. Apolinario Ornai Neto, SDB.

NB: We congratulate the TLS Don Bosco Alumni: their path looks like a good model for other Past Pupil Federations. It looks like the TIMOR LESTE Federation is heading towards greater progress and more programs to help lots of poor youngsters. Merry Christmas!

---

---