Dili, 3 February 2025 – The Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ), in partnership with USAID/Timor-Leste’s Accountability and Integrity Mechanism (AIM) program, is pleased to share the inspiring work of Cedelizio V. M. C. do Rêgo, the third-place winner of the Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Essay Competition.
Born in Lautém, Cedelizio is a passionate advocate for social change and literacy. In 2018, he co-founded the Dauluturo Village Youth Movement, an initiative promoting youth engagement through debates, speeches, and community-building activities. He is also an active member of Movimentu Letras, a literacy campaign dedicated to fostering education in Timor-Leste, and currently works as a journalist for Media Assa-News, where he highlights key governance and social issues.
In his award-winning essay, Cedelizio explores the historical and structural challenges of governance and corruption in Timor-Leste. He argues that colonial legacies and political oppression have shaped existing power dynamics, often leading to bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of accountability. Through a critical examination of government policies, he questions whether national development priorities truly reflect the needs of the people.
His essay emphasizes the importance of education, health, and agriculture as essential pillars of governance, calling for a shift away from excessive administrative spending toward policies that directly benefit citizens. He also highlights the critical role of independent institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (KAK) and PDHJ in promoting accountability, arguing that they must be strengthened with greater autonomy to effectively combat corruption.
Cedelizio’s work serves as a call to action, urging Timorese youth to demand transparency, challenge corruption, and actively participate in governance. His dedication to literacy, media, and civic engagement exemplifies the power of young voices in shaping a more just and accountable society.
🔗 Read the full essay here: https://www.pdhj.tl/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Baze-Istoria-Boa-Governasaun-No-Anti-Korupsaun-Baze-istoria-Cedelizio-.pdf
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