Final Competition for Public Speaking on the Theme “Unity in Diversity to Promote Tourism in My Timor-Leste”

On May 17, 2022, USAID’s Tourism for All Project, in collaboration with the Timor-Leste Religious Tourism Association (ATR-TL) and the Civil Society Support Service and Social Audit (SASCAS) under the Office of the Prime Minister of RDTL, held the final competition for public speaking with the theme “Unity in Diversity to Promote Tourism in My Timor-Leste,” aimed at naming two ambassadors for tourism for the year 2022-2023.

The objective of this competition was to raise awareness among participants about the National Tourism Policy of Timor-Leste and to encourage active citizens to help promote tourism in the country.

The program was announced to the public on March 31, 2022. Following this, the ATR-TL Promotion and Marketing Unit team and the outgoing ambassadors conducted socialization activities and disseminated information to university students, including various training centers.

After reviewing the submitted documents and videos, the internal selection committee from USAID’s Tourism for All Project and the Timor-Leste Religious Tourism Association (ATR-TL) selected the top 10 finalists for the final competition held on May 17, 2022, at the Timor Plaza Parking Lot.

The event saw maximum participation from Mr. Peter Simone (USAID’s Tourism for All Project) and other key figures, including President of ATR-TL, Father Ângelo Salsinha; Executive Director of ATR-TL, Dr. Manuel Vong; ATR-TL staff; representatives from five religious leaders; and enthusiastic students and members of the public present at the venue.

The jury for the final competition was composed of five members: Ms. Abelita Cabral from SASCAS-GPM; Ms. Glenda de Carvalho, Consultant for the Promotion and Marketing Program at ATR-TL; Mr. António Gusmão, Senior Technical Adviser for USAID’s Tourism for All Project; former TBEH Ambassador for the period 2019-2022, Ms. Laras Mendonça; and Mr. Rogério Lopes.

The announcement of the winners for this competition will be made on May 26, 2022.