Youth Advocacy for Digital Literacy Education in Timor-Leste

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Timor-Leste, a nation with a population predominantly aged between 15-25, is grappling with the challenges of an underdeveloped digital infrastructure. This reality, however, hasn't deterred the spirit of its young people, who are stepping up to navigate the digital and technological space with courage and determination.

One such individual is Juvita, a youth activist passionate about women's empowerment and gender equality. She has spearheaded the Youth Leadership Development Program Timor-Leste, a youth group offering free leadership training to both young men and women. Her latest venture is the JPF Podcast, a youth-led project aiming to increase awareness among Timor-Leste's youth about emerging technology in the region.

The first event of the JPF Podcast took place on September 30, 2023, under the theme "Digital Rights: Opportunity and Challenges of young people in navigating social media in Timor-Leste." The discussion aimed to address the concerns faced by many social media users in the country, who often struggle with navigating the internet with an effective, positive, and educative approach.

The JPF Podcast project is supported by the Goethe-Institut, an organisation committed to digital education for Timor-Leste's youth. Juvita, the project's leader, also hosts the podcast and spearheads other efforts around digital literacy education among the nation's youth.

Unfortunately, the digital landscape in Timor-Leste is not without its perils. The reinstatement of criminal defamation in the Penal Code in 2020 and the 2021 draft Cybercrime Law pose limits to freedom of expression online and threaten democratic discourse in the country. These concerns were also echoed by the United Nations Human Rights Council during Timor-Leste's 2022 Universal Periodic Review, which highlighted threats to freedom of expression and association.

A poignant example of these threats is the arrest of a young female activist named Variana in 2023 for posting critical comments online against top leaders in Timor-Leste. Such incidents underscore the need for continued efforts to promote digital rights and ensure a safe and inclusive online space for all.

Despite these challenges, young people in Timor-Leste continue to play an important role in the emerging digital era. Initiatives like the Youth Accelerator Lab, funded by the United Nations Development Programme, and the JPF Podcast are testament to their resilience and determination. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to support these young leaders and empower them to navigate the digital and technological space with confidence and conviction.

This article was written by Juvita Pereira Faria as part of EngageMedia's Youth Advocacy and Communications for Internet Freedom project. It was originally published by EngageMedia. The internet infrastructure in Timor-Leste remains behind its regional counterparts, but with the spirit and determination of its young people, there is hope for a brighter, more connected future.