The 'Timor-Leste Research Program' at RMIT University

The Timor-Leste.org website is hosted by the Globalism Research Centre and the Global Cities Institute at RMIT University in Melbourne as part of the work of the Timor-Leste Research Program. The aim of the website is to maintain a record of the outcomes of the research undertaken by various organisations, communities and individuals who have worked in collaboration on different projects since 2003.

Organisational Collaboration

The following is a list of some of the organisations and communities that have worked together in undertaking research as well as organising events. 

  • Aliteno Diak (Atauro)
  • Asosiasaun Mane Kontra Violencia (AMKV)
  • Australian Volunteers International
  • Beazoia (Atauro)
  • Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters
  • Caritas Australia
  • Centro Haburas Talento (Ermera)
  • Charles Darwin University
  • Concern Worldwide
  • The Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation
  • East Timor Women Australia
  • Feto iha Kbiit Servisu Ha mutuk (FKSH )
  • Fokupers
  • FONGTIL (East Timor NGO Forum)
  • Fraterna (Lautem)
  • Friends of Baucau, City of Darebin, the City of Yarra
  • Fundasaun Alola
  • The Global Cities Institute, RMIT University
  • The Globalism Research Centre, RMIT University
  • Grupo Feto Foinsa’e Timor Lorosa’e (GFFTL )
  • Hakat ba Oin (Atauro)
  • Haklean Moris (Ermera)
  • The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA)
  • The International Development Program, RMIT University
  • The International Studies Program, RMIT University
  • Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP), including the Women’s Justice Unit
  • Oan Kiak Group (Luro, Lautein District)
  • ONE (Lautem)
  • Oxfam Australia
  • PRADET Timor-Leste
  • RMIT English World Wide
  • The Office for Promotion of Equality, Prime Minister’s Office, Timor-Leste

 Project Funders have included several of the above as well as:

  • Ausaid
  • The Australian Research Council
  • Irish Aid
  • Trocaire
  • The Asia-Pacific Research Futures Network
  • RMIT University

Communities in which extensive research has been undertaken in collaboration with include:

  • Aldeia Ra’ano in Suco Serelau, Sub-district Lautem
  • Sub-district Fatumean, Cova Lima, including Aldeia Nanu
  • Sub-district Luro, District Lautem, including Aldeia Sarelari
  • Sub-district Venilale, District Baucau including Aldeia Luha Oli
  • Sub-disctrict Balibo, District Bobonaro
  • Sub-district Lolotoe, District Bobonaro
  • In Dili, the communities of Dom Alexio (especially the Aldeia of Golgota), Lahane, Bairo Pite, Bemori and Becora have all been sites of research data collection.

In addition to these organisations and communities, a great many individuals have assisted in facilitating research-related activities or have participated in the research by providing information such as through interviews or surveys.

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 About the 'Timor-Leste Research Program' at RMIT University

The Timor-Leste Research Program is based at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia), and is primarily situated within the Globalism Research Centre and the Global Cities Institute. Researchers from the Globalism Research Centre have been working in Timor-Leste since 2003, and as with other sites within Australia and the Asia-Pacific, our main intellectual task has been to understand processes of change and continuity, and to think through cultural-political questions such as nation-formation in a globalizing world. We endeavour to work across the divide between abstract theory and applied research and we seek to develop strong collaborative connections with communities, civil society and state organisations in our research areas.

RMIT’s Global Cities Institute was inaugurated in 2006 and brings together key researchers in order to understand the complexity of globalizing urban settings. As part of the Global Cities Institute, the Timor-Leste Research Program has developed its work to incorporate Dili as a major site for its research. 

Timor-Leste Research Program Objectives 

RMIT’s Timor-Leste Research Program is committed to both intellectual and ethical objectives. At an intellectual level, our objectives include:

  • To seek to understand processes of change in contemporary Timor-Leste, specifically the process of nation-formation;
  • To develop and utilise innovative research methods suitable for the East Timorese context; and
  • To ensure that our academic research findings contribute wherever possible to development policy and program design and community knowledge in Timor-Leste. 

At an ethical level, our objectives include: 

  • To build innovative knowledge about East Timorese society that is applicable, socially progressive, accessible and widely distributed in both Timor-Leste and globally, including both within and beyond Universities;
  • To ensure that our research program is transparent and accountable in Timor-Leste, and involves locally-based partners wherever possible;
  • To build the research capabilities of East Timorese communities, organisations and individuals, and emerging researchers from Australia and internationally; and 
  • To include a diverse range of East Timorese voices in data collection and written outcomes.