Ermera, July 7, 2025 – The Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance, Rigoberto Monteiro, officially opened a three-day training on good governance, mediation, and human rights for 36 Community Leaders from the Municipality of Ermera. The participants included Head of Villages from the Administrative Posts of Ermera, Railaco, Hatulia A, Hatulia B, Letefoho, and Atsabe.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Ombudsman Monteiro emphasized the significance of this training, stating that it is essential for Head of Villages to understand the principles of human rights and good governance in the context of Timor-Leste.
“When you meet with your communities in village councils, you should be able to introduce and explain the rights of the people, the duties and powers of village chiefs, and the connection between local and national governance. This knowledge enables you to support institutions like the PDHJ and other government entities in strengthening the community’s role in national development,” said Rigoberto Monteiro.
He stressed that protecting human rights at the community level is one of the core responsibilities of Head of Villages. This includes responding to the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly the poor and persons with disabilities. “Head of villages should actively identify and resolve local problems, such as facilitating access to services for people who can no longer walk to government offices,” he added.
Monteiro also reminded that Head of Villages serve as the frontline of local administration, often handling key documentation and services for their communities. “You are the closest authority to the people and are directly elected by them. It’s crucial that you maintain effective coordination with the municipal administration to ensure the smooth delivery of public services,” he said.
He further highlighted that good governance means solving problems based on community needs. Since Suco Heads are sometimes entrusted with managing public funds allocated by the central or municipal governments, their administrative and financial accountability is vital.
“This training is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge in governance, human rights, and public service delivery. We encourage you to engage fully over the next three days,” said Monteiro.
Also speaking at the event, José da Costa Gomes, Secretary of Administration and Finance at the Ermera Municipal Authority, echoed the Deputy Ombudsman’s message. He urged participants to make the most of the training in order to enhance their capacity to respond professionally and effectively to community challenges through mediation, responsible financial management, and human rights-based approaches.
The training aims to build the skills of community leaders so they can contribute meaningfully to local development and share their knowledge with others in their communities.
This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ) and the Ministry of State Administration (MAE) in 2024.
The training is being held at the Ermera Municipal Administration Hall in Gleno, from July 7 to 9, 2025, and is facilitated by trainers from PDHJ and MAE.
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