Dili
Timor-Leste Sister City
Current Projects
On August 12, Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer hosted a welcome reception for Santa Cecilia de Balide and Coro Santo de Antonio de Motael choirs from Dili, Timor-Leste. The Choirs were visiting Darwin as part of Northern Voices, a Darwin Festival event featuring the sounds of Timor Leste, the Tiwi Islands, Africa, Indonesia, Greece, Australia and the Phillipines in a concert event that is as multicultural as Darwin itself. Watch the impromptu performance guests were treated to.
Lord Mayor was invited to present team jerseys to the players of the Timor-Leste Crocs 10 August 2011. The Crocs, based in Dili, were stopping in Darwin en route to Sydney to compete in the Australian Football League International Cup.
From 28 March until 13th April, Darwin City Council hosted three representatives from Action for Change Foundation for a capacity building exchange. During their time in Darwin, the three young people undertook a range of work experience opportunities including working with Council's Libraries, Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, Red Cross Youth Services, Music NT and 32 Degrees. The Dili delegation was also involved in the planning and running of the BIG GIG on April 8. Check out the photos to see what else they got up to.
From the 4th to 8th of October 2010, Darwin City Council Information Technology staff member, Mark Bradbury, went to Dili to help install 6 computers that had been donated by DCC. Despite electricity supply issues, the members of Action For Change Foundation, with direction from Mark were able to set up the computers with internet connection in their internet café. Read more about Action for Change on their blog or in their latest newsletter. To see pictures of the new internet café, click here.
Background and History
Dili is the capital of one of the world's newest nations, Timor-Leste, which emerged as an independent nation after years of violence following a vote for independence from Indonesia in August 1999.
According to a report presented to the United Nations in 2006 about 183,200 East Timorese were killed or died between 1975 and 1999, under Indonesia's occupation of the former Portuguese colony.
The territory was under UN Administration until independence on 20 May 2002. The colourful and emotional celebrations that took place in Dili, on that day marked an official end to 450 years of foreign rule over the territory. Darwin's Lord Mayor, Mr Peter Adamson, was there to witness the historic event.
As Dili's closest large neighbouring city, Darwin had been assisting Dili in many ways since violence broke out on 30 August 1999, both through Government and Non-Government organisational programs. Darwin had housed refugees, helped fund various projects and had been the source of numerous entrepreneurs and aid workers that spent time in Dili helping at ground level.
In 2001, Darwin City Council supplied equipment and expertise through staff exchange and training to help restore and maintain the playing surface and surrounding facilities of the Dili Oval and Stadium.
Agreement was reached to develop a Sister City agreement after an original request from Mr Braz de Carvallo, Dili District Administrator, on 28 March 2002. It was suggested that a Sister City Agreement would formally recognise ties that exist between Darwin and Dili and provide a platform for the people of Dili to express their appreciation.
The Dili Sister City agreement was formally signed on 18 September 2003. Over the past few years numerous delegations both out bound and visiting have strengthened the Darwin/Dili relationship. Linkages with various youth projects, community development activities and material aid have been facilitated.
There is a growing East Timorese community in Darwin and the Sister City arrangement can only further develop the cultural and economic ties that have been built during East Timor's recent history.
Photos of Dili
Action for Change Internet Cafe