The Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, the Kent Global Leadership Program on Conflict Resolution, and the Weatherhead East Asian Institute present:

From War To Peace To Sustainable Development: A Lesson For The World

with H. E. the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão

 

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

10:00am-11:00am

1512 International Affairs Building

Zoom registration link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-Q_V4b0MTIaGp_BsJ3B1aw

In-Person Registration Link: https://events.columbia.edu/go/timorleste

 

With H. E. the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão

Introduced by Jean-Marie Guéhenno, Arnold A. Saltzman Professor of Practice in International and Public Affairs; Director of SIPA’s Kent Global Leadership Program on Conflict Resolution; Director of International Conflict Resolution Specialization

Moderated by V. Page Fortna, Director, Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies; Harold Brown Professor of US Foreign and Security Policy, Department of Political Science, Columbia University

 

About the event:

Timor-Leste is celebrated as one of the few success stories of peacebuilding as a new nation emerging from 24 years of war. The world is currently facing the most concurrent global conflicts since World War II, challenging the idea of multilateralism and looking for a more peaceful path forward.

 

Peace in the face of adversity and even after long-term conflict is possible. That peace is the precursor to sustainable development, and the reason why Timor-Leste and the group of conflict-affected nations composing the g7+ championed SDG16 for inclusion as one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

For Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, peace is paramount for keeping the Timorese people safe and ensuring the country develops on its own terms. In this special lecture, Prime Minister Gusmão will talk about peace and share the lessons learned for his country. 

 

First “discovered” in 1515 by Portugal, then remaining as a colony of Portugal until 1975, after which it was annexed by Indonesia. In 1999, through a UN sponsored referendum, the Timorese People exercised their right to self-determination and voted overwhelmingly for independence. On May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste was recognized as an independent nation. Despite the many challenges it still faces as a developing country, over the past 25-years since the referendum, Timor-Leste enjoyed peace, and is a thriving democracy. For Timor-Leste and any country emerging from conflict, peace is also about reconciliation, for both the Timorese people and its former adversaries.

 

A light breakfast provided from 9:45am, followed by a lecture and Q&A. Pre-registration required.