With its history of colonization and civil war, the country has come to recognize the importance of peace on a profound level. Against this backdrop, the government and higher education institutions have identified peace education for young people as a national priority. Since 2023, higher education institutions in Timor-Leste have actively responded to the social demand to go beyond mere knowledge transfer and instead foster peaceful values and civic consciousness as a foundation for building sustainable peace.
The Timor-Leste Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture signed an MOU with the global peace NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) to expand peace education and launch a training program for peace teachers. They quickly recruited participants via official notices, with 17 higher education institutions taking part. Currently, 14 of the 20 universities in Timor-Leste are either implementing peace education or discussing its implementation.
Dr. José Honório, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste said, "Peace begins in higher education, and by teaching harmony to our youth, we create a better future." The government continues to support the integration of peace education into the national curriculum. UNPAZ, a university in Dili, has included peace education in its regular academic schedule, providing systematic instruction, while other universities have also adopted various approaches.
Teachers in Timor-Leste are leading the lectures using peace education materials to convey the value of peace to young people.
The peace education textbook comprises 12 lessons addressing the causes of conflict throughout human history, pathways to restoring peace, the virtues of peaceful character expected of citizens, and the role of global citizens. In Timor-Leste, selected lessons have been incorporated into higher education curricula, with students engaging in discussions, presentations, and practical exercises based on the materials.
Timor-Leste's higher education institutions have operated various peace education programs to help students internalize the values of peace through practical activities.
In April 2024, students shared messages of peace through writing at the Earth Day writing event. At the 2025 Peace Storytelling Speech Contest, they gave presentations on topics like environment, harmony, forgiveness, responsibility, and gratitude.
Youth Engagement Workshop and the Lighthouse International School's peace camp have provided opportunities for students to connect with their communities and experience the value of peace firsthand. Other diverse activities, such as peace education seminars, the unveiling ceremony of peace murals, a peace children's choir, the Timor-Leste Vision Conference, English debates, and Korean language classes, have also spread a culture of peace throughout the country.
Joao Francisco Maia, Head for department of International Relations Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, stated, "HWPL's peace education helps students learn about conflict resolution and social justice and develop critical thinking." He added that peace education is not just a lecture but provides a foundation for students to grow into leaders who can solve local community problems.
Mercia Mendonsa, a student at Timorese Catholic University, shared, "Through this peace education, I learned that the support of friends contributes to harmony and peace." She explained that after she accidentally broke something at school, her friends helped her resolve the issue, and this experience taught her the value of peaceful resolution and harmony. She realized that this small act could be a step toward building a peaceful community.
In collaboration with HWPL, Timor-Leste's higher education institutions have led social change by institutionalizing peace education and teaching its values to young people. Students are learning harmony and responsibility and contributing to their communities. The peace education movement that began in Timor-Leste is expected to become an important stepping stone for a sustainable future.
