What we do
The Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD) use collaborative research and dialogue to advance the understanding of conflict-related issues and the major challenges to the consolidation of representative democracy in the country. In 2007, CEPAD launched the Programme for Research and Dialogue for Peace (PRDP) in response to the violent political crisis of 2006.
Through a research process developed from 2007 to 2009, the following issues emerged as the most pressing challenges to peace in the country: (1) the promotion of individual and political party interests over the national interest; (2) the need for a common narrative of the history of the resistance and the occupation; (3) the ineffective formal judicial system and the culture of impunity; and, (4) Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism (KKN).
In the period 2009-2012, CEPAD aimed at formulating broad-based consensus and solutions to these priorities. National Working Groups on the first and fourth priorities were launched in 2010 and 2011 respectively and were followed by countrywide focus group discussions to identify policy recommendations to address them. CEPAD has since produced a number of policy publications building on its research and contributing to policy deliberations around priority topics.
Currently with funding from MISEREOR, CEPAD has just started a new 3-year project aiming at building integrity and promoting good governance through a holistic and strategic mix of preventive educational activities to curb corruption in Timor-Leste. The overall goal of this project is to contribute towards building and fostering a culture of peace and dialogue in East Timor and improving relationships between citizens and government and its public officials.