This book introduces and discusses a variety of educational and health issues and provides insights and glimpses into the broad political, economic and socio cultural contexts of education and health in Timor-Leste. Each chapter endeavours to provide detailed overviews of the context. The objective of the authors is to enable readers to have an understanding of the intricate, complex and synergistic connections amongst the underlying cultural, religious, economic and political arenas within the practices of health and education in the country.
Part I of the book deals with issues of educational change in the country, the authors of the five chapters on Education Rebuilding have lived in the country for extended periods of time and been involved as practitioners in the educational change process. Part II explores the complex issue of health, nutrition and services in the nation, the authors of the six chapters represent an eclectic mix of practitioners and researchers who have experienced first hand the health rebuilding process and have knowledge of the country, its communities and its people. In Part III the editors have attempted to use narrative so that non-academic voices are heard in relation to change. The final three chapters thus bring forth the “voices” of the contributors and people in the community.