Fireworks crackled and flashed overhead, the crowd around me broke into spontaneous dance. Off in the distance, I saw a familiar figure. The crowd swarmed around him hugging and cheering. His smile is all too familiar. One of those smiles that lights up a crowd, or in his case a nation. It was my old friend and first President of Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao.
I was in Timor-Leste to celebrate 20 years since the vote for the restoration of independence. Timor-Leste is one of Australia’s closest neighbours, a country that I have visited and been involved with for decades. During the years I have filled roles as a Ministerial Advisor, election observer, and now Honorary Consul for Victoria. But most importantly I call myself ‘friend’ to these incredible people. A people that showed great resilience in fighting for their freedom, a people that continue with that same energy to build their fledgeling nation.
Twenty years on you could say that a lot has changed, you could also say that not much has changed. It is easy to get caught up in negativity. It is true Timor-Leste is still an ‘emerging’ nation ranked 132 (out of 188) on the United Nations Human Development Index. Children are still dying of preventable diseases, education maybe isn’t what it could be. It is true to say that there is still work to do. Given the challenges, it is hard to imagine why Australia ranked 3rd on the Human Development Index would spy on this young nation? No less under the cover of an aid program and with the sole purpose of cheating them out of valuable resources. Resources that would have saved lives and educated children. Like so many there that evening I sometimes go to those dark places.
But as I look around the crowd I see the faces of people not filled with negativity but filled with hope and optimism for the future. People filled with the same resilience as the people who fought for independence. Nuns that have set up orphanages, teachers that stand in classrooms day after day remembering the past and equipping students for the future, doctors and midwives that continue to stand on the front line, bringing new lives into the world. New lives that will be born of the same positivity and resilience as my good friend Xanana Gusmao.
As he reached me we embraced as old friends do, the crowd still cheering and dancing around us. We are older, and perhaps a little wiser than when we first met. The determination to continue our work together though has never been greater. Unlike Xanana and many others, I did not have to fight for my freedom, I didn’t lose family or friends. But it does not mean I can’t be inspired by a people so close to my home that I want to be a part of their future.
In doing so I have set up a Foundation called the Good Business Foundation (GBF). The Foundation will have a strong focus on supporting young and emerging leaders and social enterprise in Timor-Leste. It will be looking to engage more people and businesses in Australia to support one of our closest neighbours. Whilst I can and will provide much-needed support through the GBF, it will be the energy and resilience of the people of Timor-Leste that will be the true ingredient of its success.
Viva Timor-Leste here’s to the future!
