Foto: Fundasaun Mahein 2025
Timor-Leste’s journey toward ASEAN integration demands urgent public dialogue and targeted reforms to address gaps in human security, education and legal frameworks. Fundasaun Mahein (FM) seeks to provoke debate on prioritising human security as the cornerstone of integration readiness, emphasising three pillars: education, vocational training and legal harmonisation.
Education for Inclusive Development
Education for inclusive development in Timor-Leste is pivotal as the country actively prepares for full ASEAN membership, aiming to ensure universal access to quality education that addresses the needs of vulnerable groups and rural communities. The government prioritises equitable education to break cycles of poverty, supported by initiatives such as participation in the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) program, which provides critical regional data to enhance educational policies and student outcomes. This focus on inclusive education aligns with Timor-Leste’s broader capacity-building efforts to equip its workforce with ASEAN-relevant skills, facilitating smoother integration into the regional community.
Timor-Leste is modernising teacher training through mentorship, digital tools and distance learning to improve pedagogical skills and align curricula with labour market demands. The government, with support from ASEAN members like Singapore, is investing in training programs for officials and educators to build competencies in ASEAN processes and educational standards. One example is the Futuru Líder Ba ASEAN (FLBA) leadership program, which cultivates future leaders with ASEAN exposure and cross-border collaboration skills. Strengthening higher education infrastructure and research capacity is also a priority to meet ASEAN standards and foster innovation, ensuring Timor-Leste’s education system supports sustainable development and regional integration.
Vocational Training and Workforce Development
National workforce development in Timor-Leste is being advanced through programs under the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment in Portuguese: Secretariado de Estado da Formação Profissional e Emprego (SEFOPE) and the National Institute for Manpower Development , in Portuguese: Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Mão-de-Obra (INDMO), which focus on revising competency standards, accrediting training centres and certifying trainers to better align with ASEAN labour market integration. These efforts aim to enhance the quality and relevance of workforce skills, facilitating smoother labour mobility and employment opportunities within the ASEAN region.
Complementing these initiatives, the Human Capital Development Fund supports multi-year investments in education targeting youth and adults to close skills gaps in critical sectors. Community awareness is being promoted through the Ombudsman’s “Socialisation” workshops, which educate vulnerable groups and public servants on human rights, governance and dispute resolution mechanisms. This approach strengthens social inclusion and governance frameworks by empowering communities with knowledge and tools to resolve conflicts effectively.
Legal and Judicial Reforms
Legal and judicial reforms in Timor-Leste have focused on strengthening judicial capacity through specialised training for prosecutors, defenders and arbitrators in commercial, tax and investment law via the Judicial Training Centre. These reforms also include implementing decree laws on property registration and establishing arbitration mechanisms to resolve land disputes, supporting foreign investment and social stability. Human rights integration is also pursued through security sector reforms, notably police training on international standards and community-centric policing, enhancing respect for human rights and public trust in law enforcement.
However, the judicial system has faced challenges related to politicisation, exemplified by the controversial appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal, Judge Afonso Carmona. Although the appointment followed the legal framework—where the President of the Republic appoints the Court of Appeal’s president for a four-year term, provided the judge has served at least 20 years in the judiciary—some judges rejected the appointment, arguing it was not based on the judicial structure and violated the principle of judicial independence and merit. Critics, including political figures, viewed the appointment as potentially politicised, undermining judicial independence. Meanwhile, the government and President Ramos-Horta defended it as lawful, transparent and consistent with constitutional provisions and longstanding practice. This controversy highlights ongoing tensions between reform efforts and the risks of political interference, underscoring the delicate balance needed to maintain judicial impartiality.
Regional Harmonisation and ASEAN Alignment
Timor-Leste is actively aligning its education and vocational standards with ASEAN requirements by revising its National Qualification Framework Law (36/2011) through Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs), while also undertaking legal and institutional reforms such as drafting trade-related dispute settlement frameworks and investment dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions to attract foreign investment. However, the country faces significant challenges including underdeveloped infrastructure, limited skilled labour, a weak private sector and institutional capacity constraints that hinder full integration.
To address these, Timor-Leste can implement targeted solutions such as capacity-building programs for local businesses focused on ASEAN trade, marketing, financial access policies, connectivity and digital skills. Improving infrastructure and internet access through financial assistance can help overcome critical bottlenecks. For example, Singapore has launched training programs for Timorese officials on ASEAN processes and regulations, demonstrating effective international support. Strengthening governance, modernising financial systems and enhancing bureaucratic efficiency are also crucial, as is diversifying the economy to reduce reliance on oil revenues. By establishing strong connections with ASEAN bodies and actively participating in regional initiatives, Timor-Leste can better meet membership requirements and leverage ASEAN’s technical assistance programs in sectors like education, healthcare and infrastructure development. These combined efforts will help overcome institutional and economic challenges, enabling full integration into ASEAN, attracting foreign investment and unlocking new growth opportunities.
Challenges and Future Directions
Timor-Leste faces significant challenges as it prepares for full ASEAN membership, expected in late 2025. Addressing infrastructure and resource gaps remains critical, especially in higher education and judicial institutions, to build the institutional capacity required for integration. Modernising curricula to include peace education, digital literacy and gender equity is essential to foster social cohesion and equip the young population—over 60% under 25—with skills aligned to ASEAN’s labour mobility frameworks.
Strengthening coordination among government ministries, civil society and international partners is vital to ensure policy coherence and effective implementation of reforms. These efforts will help Timor-Leste leverage ASEAN’s economic opportunities while addressing systemic challenges such as poverty, youth unemployment and the need for economic diversification.
ASEAN membership offers transformative potential but demands strategic leadership to navigate Timor-Leste’s complex social and economic landscape. The country must accelerate capacity-building initiatives, improve infrastructure and enhance human capital to fully integrate into ASEAN’s architecture. This includes upgrading transport networks, modernising financial systems and supporting local businesses through training in trade, digital skills and market access. Collaboration with ASEAN member states and development partners is crucial to harmonise legislation and adopt best practices.
Successfully embedding Timor-Leste into ASEAN’s frameworks can unlock new growth opportunities in sectors like sustainable coffee, eco-tourism and fisheries, while promoting inclusive development and regional connectivity. This integration will not only boost economic prospects but also strengthen social cohesion and cultural exchange.
FM Recommendations
Education
- Integrate human security concepts into national curricula to promote awareness of rights, responsibilities and peaceful conflict resolution
- Strengthen teacher training programs to include modules on social cohesion and civic responsibility
- Expand access to education in remote areas via mobile schools, scholarships and community learning centres
Training
- Develop specialised training for public officials, police and community leaders focused on human security and conflict prevention
- Conduct regular workshops and simulations on crisis response and human rights
- Promote partnerships with regional and international organisations to build local capacity
Legal Harmonisation
- Align national laws with international human rights standards and ASEAN frameworks
- Create multi-stakeholder platforms to identify legal gaps and propose reforms
- Run legal literacy campaigns and provide accessible legal aid to empower vulnerable groups
Cross-Cutting Measures
- Foster inter-ministerial coordination across reforms
- Encourage community participation in policymaking
- Monitor and evaluate initiatives using data-driven approaches
