Timorese eye stronger education, trade ties after joining ASEAN, but some say country is ‘not yet ready’

“They can get better access to networking, they can have more opportunities to study abroad, and they can work on international collaborations and develop the economic system,” she said.

Alda is a member of a youth organisation called NextGen Innovation Hub, set up by Cristovao Reinato Estelita, 22, to conduct talks and capacity-building activities for young Timorese to try and address the country’s challenges. 

Timor-Leste needs to improve its healthcare, infrastructure, economy and education system, said Estelita.

It also needs to tackle its urban-rural divide that results in the 65 per cent of Timorese living in rural areas lacking access to education and information, he said.

Not all academics and civil society observers in the country, however, believe Timor-Leste is ready to be ASEAN’s newest member.