Provide input to TL Fragile States Paper

For Tetum, more up-to-date information and documents see La'o Hamutuk's web page on this process.

During the last two years, Timor-Leste has become one of the leaders of international processes relating to "Fragile States" and aid effectiveness.  In 2010, Dili hosted an "International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding," and a follow-up conference will be held in Korea later in 2011.  The National Directorate for Aid Effectiveness in the Ministry of Finance is consulting people on Timor-Leste's Country Paper for this process, and received comments on a mid-April draft by 6 May. La'o Hamutuk made a submission, as have others.

This process is based on the "Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations" which emerged from many conferences trying to understand why foreign aid often produces few results:

1. Take context as the starting point. 
2. Ensure all activities do no harm.        
3. Focus on state building as the central objective.        
4. Prioritise prevention.
5. Recognise the links between political, security and development objectives.       
6. Promote non discrimination as a basis for inclusive and stable societies.
7. Align with local priorities in different ways and in different contexts.      
8. Agree on practical co-ordination mechanisms between international actors.        
9. Act fast… but stay engaged long enough to give success a chance.      
10. Avoid pockets of exclusion (“aid orphans”).

The Ministry of Finance asked if international engagement in Timor-Leste is consistent with each Fragile States Principle, or fails to respect it. They hope to make aid here more effective, and to eliminate obstacles. If some of the Fragile States Principles should be amended or do not apply to Timor-Leste, that would also be good to discuss.