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Music has always been central to East Timor’s culture and today, music is also being used for community development as young people compose their own songs to inspire and influence change for their nation.

With radio hugely popular in East Timor, their songs carry messages into isolated rural villages: songs about health, rights, education and building a better tomorrow.

Penning and recording these songs grew out of Plan’s East Timor youth participation project, which Children First! members have been supporting since its inception in 2006.

“Young people expressed an interest to develop their skills in music and to make songs that would unify youth and show them in a positive light within the community after the violence of 2006,” says Jan Parry, a Plan Australia Program Manager.

While young people can play a vital role in the future of any country, this is even more so in East Timor where a staggering 75 per cent of the population are under 30 and 50 per cent are under 15 years old.

“But if this resource is left idle, with no opportunities to apply their energy positively, we are doing both them and our region a disservice. As children grow into young adults it is essential they receive support, new skills and space to use their vitality for the benefit of their communities. Left without opportunities it is all too easy for youth to become frustrated and dispirited,” Jan says.

“But energised and with new ideas, East Timor’s young people have the potential to transform their own communities from the inside,” she adds.

Ne’e Hau Nia Moris – Songs from the Lautem district

This inspirational album is the result of collaboration between Plan and Australian-based Realtone Music to train young East Timorese and local Plan staff in music recording as part of Plan’s youth participation project in East Timor. Realtone provided expertise and basic and durable music recording equipment (which remains in East Timor). The CD was manufactured through Sony Music in Australia.

Ne'e Hau Nia Moris - Songs from Lautem District, Timor Leste features the music of East Timorese young people performing as seven bands. As well as traditional songs, they also recorded their own compositions.

Purchase the Album CD ‘Songs from the Lautem district’ ($15 inc. postage and GST).

 Listen to the tracks on Last.fm

Watch the music videos

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Plan's work in East Timor

Plan has been working in East Timor since 2001 supporting communities in the areas of early childhood care and development; child protection; water and sanitation; and more recently youth participation and youth livelihoods.