Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor)

The Carter Center has been closely involved with the birth of this first new nation of the 21st century.

It is very unusual for a nongovernmental organization to assist with the foundation of a new country. The Carter Center played such a role for the people of Timor-Leste. The Carter Center and East Timor have worked together to establish a lasting and peaceful democracy.

Waging Peace

The Carter Center has been closely involved with the birth of this first new nation of the 21st century. Timor-Leste, with an estimated population of 800,000, is located off the northwestern coast of Australia. After four centuries of Portuguese rule, 24 years of Indonesian occupation, and two years of United Nations administration, East Timor (known as Timor-Leste) gained independence on May 20, 2002.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in Timor-Leste >