"...With The UNThe World Became A Better Place..."

UNMIT PRESS RELEASE

“…With The United Nations The World Became A Better Place…”

24 October 2010, Dili - This year’s United Nations Day celebrations in Dili took place in front of the Government Palace, and were more engaging than ever. A three-dimensional photo exhibition, children’s activities, singing and dancing performances… there was something for all participants.

All UN Agencies, Programmes, Funds and UNMIT came together to explain their work to the Timorese around the MDG themes. Part of the events was a special penalty shootout to “Score an MDG Goal”, a Millennium Development one, with Timor-Leste’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate President José Ramos-Horta, Deputy Prime Minister José Luis Guterres, and Acting Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Timor-Leste (ASRSG) Finn Reske-Nielsen joining the Timorese youths. All participants received an MDG certificate while ten lucky winners among those who were able to beat the UN’s Brazilian goalkeeper received an MDG ball autographed by the President.

The highlight of the celebration was the three-dimensional illuminated photo exhibition on the beach promenade, capturing the work of the UN in Timor-Leste. The focus of the 60 larger-than-life photos, taken by UNMIT’s national and international photographers, was on MDGs and Youth, and other subjects including community policing, community health programs, livelihoods and landscapes of Timor-Leste. The exhibition will remain on display until Wednesday 27 October.

ASRSG Finn Reske-Nielsen, in his opening remarks, highlighted the engagement of the entire UN Family in Timor-Leste’s development during its post-independence decade.

“While there is often an understandable focus on security issues, the work of the UN is far broader and the needs of the Timorese population, alongside the lives of millions of people around the world, are far greater,” – ASRSG said. The work of the United Nations family in Timor-Leste has been especially focused on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In last month’s summit it was determined that for the goals to be achieved, immediate action is necessary. Cooperation, smart leadership and accountability are needed, as well as prudent policies to create jobs, boost agriculture, food and nutrition security, and empower women and investments in health and health systems, all areas in which the UN works in Timor-Leste. “During the past 65 years the United Nations was often been the target of criticism. We all know that. But we also know that with the United Nations the World became a better place,”- ASRSG Reske-Nielsen said.

ENDS

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