Bega Valley Shire Council has extended the hand of friendship to one of the newest nations on earth – Timor-Leste. In October last year, Council formally endorsed the establishment of a friendship arrangement between the Bega Valley Shire and the Barique/Natarbora region in Timor-Leste.
The move followed a visit to the region by Mayor David Hede with members of the Bega Valley Advocates for the People of East Timor.
The agreement says: “It is intended that all initiatives undertaken under the Friendship relationship will aim to build capacity and advance and promote self sufficiency of the people of Barique-Natarbora. All initiatives will be exercised in a manner that is consistent with and actively promotes the principles of cultural and religious diversity, gender equity and ecological sustainability”.
Mayor David Hede said the relationship would be at both a Local Government and community level and would produce a better understanding and appreciation of the cultures and experiences of the communities of the Barique/Natarbora region and the Bega Valley Shire.
Council has already provided work experience for the personal assistant to the East Timorese Minister for Health. It is also currently accepting donations to assist with the purchase of mosquito nets for students at an agricultural high school in the Natarbora region where mosquito borne diseases, such as malaria, are proving a major problem.
