Adult literacy campaigns, political participation and nation building in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Timor-Leste's second national literacy campaign, launched in Dili in June 2007, is now operating across the country's 13 districts, and over 120,000 adults have completed the first 13-week class of the Cuban-designed program, 'Yo Si Puedo' (Yes I Can). This paper, based on field research undertaken in-country with literacy campaign organisers and their Cuban advisers, explores the relationship between adult literacy acquisition, political participation and nation building. It summarises what has been achieved to date, and compares this campaign with the first campaign of 1974-1975. It concludes with questions for further research on the impact of the current campaign.