Dili, November 10, 2023 – To commemorate the  National Youth Day, which marks the 32nd anniversary of the Santa Cruz Massacre, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (MYSAC), unveiled "Kolega" - a groundbreaking ChatBot initiative designed to empower and provide essential information to the youth of Timor-Leste.

During the National Youth Day event at the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (MYSAC) offices in Dili, UNFPA Country Representative in Timor-Leste, Pressia Arifin-Cabo, reiterated UNFPA's commitment to youth empowerment and its collaboration with the government. 

"UNFPA is collaborating with the government to implement the National Youth Policy and the National Action Plan for Youth that aim to create a conducive environment for the holistic development and well-being of young people. 

“UNFPA is also in the process of supporting some of the Youth Centers in the country to become Model Youth Centers where campus-to-career and training-to-placement will be integrated," stated Pressia Arifin-Cabo.

In line with this year's National Youth Day theme, "Promoting Innovation and Creativity among the Youth of Timor-Leste in the spirit of November 12," the "Kolega" ChatBot platform will help address information requirements of the youth on job opportunities and technical 21st-century skills. 

This is especially crucial as an increasing number of youth below the age of 35 enter the labor market, and there is an insufficient number of opportunities available.

The launch of "Kolega" ChatBot for youth, a computer program designed to simulate interaction via the WhatsApp number 78139110, will facilitate information sharing and the development of skills among the youth in Timor-Leste.

"Kolega" ChatBot, supported by UNFPA, will offer information on opportunities for trainings, jobs, education through e-books, and access to up-to-date emergency contacts.

After its initial testing period, the ChatBot will be handed to the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (MYSAC).

The first-of-a-kind ChatBot system in Timor-Leste will accommodate up to 500,000 registered users with unlimited daily users and can handle up to 1,500 requests per second, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.

Other key activities scheduled to mark National Youth Day include exhibitions, talk shows, procession, mass in honour of departed youth heroes, quizzes, sports and concerts targeting youths.

In partnership with MYSAC, UNFPA is also actively involved in the development and implementation of comprehensive sexuality education programs at the community and school levels in Timor-Leste. These programs adhere to international standards that promote human rights and gender equality, with a specific focus on pre-secondary and secondary students.

For more information, contact:

Suleiman Okoth

Communications and Programme Support Specialist

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Timor-Leste

Mobile: +67075169796, Email; okoth@unfpa.org