International Relations
About Us
About Friends of Suai
The photos on this page illustrate circles of stone that have been erected in memory of those killed in post-referendum violence. Jen Hughes, City of Port Phillip resident, and Balthasar Kehi, a member of friends of suai and an ex-resident of Timor Leste, facilitated the creation of a similar circle in the City of Port Phillip to illustrate the supportive connection between the two communities.
To view the Circle of Stones documentary
Commemoration of 6th anniversary of Suai massacre
Timor Leste is emerging from more than two decades of Indonesian rule. With human rights abuses and other atrocities fresh in their memories, the East Timorese people are struggling to restore peace and democracy. The City of Port Phillip is committed to assisting the East Timorese coastal community of Suai which was devastated by fighting following the Referendum for Independence in August 1999. This commitment is expressed in the form of a friendship agreement between the City of Port Phillip and the community of Suai.
How It Was Formed
The concept for the relationship emerged in 1999 when members of the community and council expressed a desire to:
- Establish a friendship city relationship with a small coastal town or village for a period of 10 years
- Develop community links between the City of Port Phillip and the identified community in East Timor
- Coordinate fund raising activities to support that community
- Share the skills of council staff
On 31 January 2000 the establishment of a partnership with the town of Suai was approved. Timor Leste's leader, Xanana Gusmao, visited the City of Port Phillip on the 4th of May 2000 and, along with the City of Port Phillip's councillors, signed the following Statement of Friendship:
"In a spirit of friendship and cooperation between the citizens of Suai and the citizens of Port Phillip, this Statement of Friendship sets out our understanding and intent. We, the signatories to this statement, affirm the development of a 10 year relationship between the elected representatives of Suai and Port Phillip, based on friendship and mutual respect. The fundamental principle of this agreement is to recognise and promote the right of East Timorese people and the residents of Suai to manage their own destiny. We agree to work together to achieve this end, whilst respecting each other's cultural heritage and customs."
What Is It?
The relationship between the City of Port Phillip and Timor Leste already has a significant history. Many people within the City of Port Phillip's community have been involved with the East Timorese community for over 25 years. Friends of Suai hopes to extend on the relationships already formed between the two communities.
Friends of suai is a relationship that goes beyond the usual concept of financial aid. It connects the community in the City of Port Phillip with the community of Suai in order to enrich and enhance the lives of all involved. In order for the relationship to be sustainable in the long term, the following structures have been created.
The community in the City of Port Phillip have formed a Community Steering Group (CSG) that meets regularly to discuss the progress of their commitment. Their counterparts in Suai have formed the Suai Community Centre Commission (SCC) with nine elected representatives including youth; NGO; women; church; education; health; agriculture; community and district administration. The members represented on this commission were selected because of their knowledge of and involvement in the area they were elected to represent.
The City Of Port Phillip Council has had a great deal of input in creating the connection between the two communities.
Friends of suai has gained insight into the community of Suai through successive Australian volunteers, and through staff and community visits from the City of Port Phillip over the last five years. This knowledge has proven invaluable in creating a long term, cross-cultural relationship between all involved. The relationship continues to grow as we get to know each other better.
Australian Volunteers International (AVI) is also involved in a partnership with the City of Port Phillip, and has had various representatives in advisory roles in Suai.
More Information
For more information on friends of suai, use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for friends of suai.
