INSTITUTO DE DEFESA NACIONAL
Newsletter May 2014 Number 2 www.idn.tl
Editorial
HIGHLIGHTS
The visit to Portugal of the Officers who participated in the
Visit of the Director of the Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (IESM) of Portugal
1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) was the beginning of the academic year at the National Defence Institute (IDN). The IDN is a newly created institute with an important role in
1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) Visit to Portugal 1st CPOS - Public Presentation and Defense of the Research Groups’ Final Papers
what concerns training and qualifications within the field of security
and
national
defence
in
Timor-Leste.
Notwithstanding, IDN has been developing strategies and programs which have placed it as an institution of reference for
military,
police
and
civilian
officers
of
public
administration. As the Head of the Coordination of the Course I have closely
The Solemn Closing Ceremony of The 1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) of F-FDTL and Postgraduate Diploma in Political and Military Studies
followed the process of planning and creation of the 1 st CPOS, as well as all the events and activities organized within its scope, including the Visit to Portugal which was held at the end of the Course and the final presentations and defense of the Final Papers. I watched on the front row the evolution, dedication and engagement of the F-FDTL Officers that attended the Course. To me they were a true example of honesty and friendship, one that I will never forget. As all of them came from the Infantry Specialty Training, and since the patron of the Portuguese Infantry is São Nuno de Santa Maria, I wish the patron guides them in their future. At the IDN the activities continue and a new Course has already started. The 1st Elementary Staff Course participants come from both the F-FDTL and the PNTL. As before, now and for other initiatives in the future, IDN may count with the cooperation of Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (IESM), where I come from, as it was affirmed by H.E. Lieutenant-General Xavier Matias on the occasion of the official visit at the closing ceremony of the 1st CPOS. After 15 months working and cooperating with IDN as advisor, I will soon go back to Portugal.
I can only thank the Director of IDN, Captain Donaciano Gomes, for the recognition of my humble performance and the opportunity to write the Editorial of the IDN’s Newsletter.
Headline
A VISIT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES OF PORTUGAL
1st Elementary Staff Course With the support and collaboration of the Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (IESM), the National Defense Institute (IDN) has organized the 1st Elementary Staff Course. The classes have started on the 10th march and the first course is Portuguese Language, taught by Professor Manuel Ribeirinha. The elementary Staff Course is directed primarily to the superior officers of Falintil-Armed Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) and the officers of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL), with similar ranks, who have proven their potential in performing their duties throughout their careers. The course will also be open to other members, namely senior officers of the civil service under the framework of cooperation between the National Defense Institute and other public institutions and Ministries. The 1st CEEM will end in February 2015 after a study visit to Portugal in January 2015, as
occurred at the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS), in 2014.
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Following the invitation of the Director of the National Defense Institute (IDN) to attend the Closing Solemn Ceremony of the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) of F-FDTL, the Director of the Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (Instituto de Estudos Superiores Militares de Portugal /IESM), Lieutenant General Xavier Fernandes Rui Manuel Matias, visited IDN on the 13th February. During the visit, TGen Xavier Matias, met with the Director of IDN, Captain Donaciano Gomes and discussed the partnership and cooperation between the institutions, which included the preparation and implementation of the 1st CPOS. This course focused manily on the military component, however it also included other fields of study related to national and international levels of analysis such as politics, strategy, social, cultural and economic studies. One other goal of this Course was to enhance the importance of the F-FDTL to the civil society of Timor-Leste and to bring both parties closer together. TGen Xavier Matias re-affirmed IESM’s availability to support not only the undergoing 1st Elementary Staff Course (CEEM), but also future courses and projects. www.idn.tl - Newsletter / May 2014 / Númber 2
Headline
The Visit to Portugal at the end of 1st Advanced Officers Training Course The course was structured in three Main Dimensions of Training: Basic, Joint and Specific.
Embassy of Timor-Leste 14 students from 1st Advanced Officers Training Course and the Post-Graduate Programme in Political and Military Studies - 9 students from FFDTL and 5 others from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Secretary of State for Defense and the National Defence Institute (IDN) – visited Portugal from 17th to the 31st January 2014. The purpose of the visit was to get to know and understand how the institutions of other countries work, namely Portugal, their day-to-day tasks and procedures. The visit started with a Reception at the Embassy of Timor-Leste in Lisbon, hosted by the Chargé d’Affairs, Mr. Francisco Vital Ornai. During their stay in Portugal, the students had the opportunity to visit several Portuguese institutions such as the School for Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP), Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (IESM), Directorate-General of Defense Policy, Navy, Army and Air Force facilities, National Defense Institute of Portugal, Hydrographic Institute, Gendarmerie (GNR), Higher Institute of Information and Administration Sciences (ISCIA), and Lisbon Geographical Society.
The 1st CPOS also included a Post-Graduate programme on Political and Military Studies, which was implemented in collaboration with ISCSP. The programme provided the students with the academic knowledge which is adequate to understand the challenges of globalization, fulfilling missions while in peace, and also engaging in the development of Timor-Leste. The Post-graduation was a 3-month programme.
Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College
School for Social and Political Sciences
Within the framework of this visit the students were granted with Postgraduate Course Diplomas in Political and Military Studies at ISCSP, a partner of IDN. The trip to Portugal ended with a visit to the Shrine of Fátima. CPOS was a 38-week programme. It consisted on a special condition for promotion to Major or Lieutenant Commander Rank. Moreover, this 1st Advanced Officers Training Course was also a qualifying course for the officers of the F-FDTL. www.idn.tl - Newsletter/ May 2014 / Number 2
National Defense Institute of Portugal
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Headline
PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENSES (ISCSP), Dr. Manuel Meirinho
ISCSP PROFESSOR, Dr. Heitor Romana
“The partnership between ISCSP and the IDN is a consequence from the fact that the Institute considered that the training programmes shall give the officers the opportunity to develop competences of analysis and interpretation of political and geostrategic phenomena. As such, this interest, which is also a need and a strategic decision of IDN, met the experience of ISCSP on education and research in such fields, thus being an added-value to IDN. In addition, it was a great opportunity for ISCSP to consolidate our programmes in such fields (…).”
“First and foremost it was an important challenge for us given the fact that this programme was included within the scope of the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course, therefore, the majority of the students would be military. However, it also included Senior Officers of other Public Administration Institutions who were an added value to the group as they brought more creativity to the subjects addressed during the classes.”
“I believe that after this programme the students who will assume high responsibility positions, will be better prepared for the daily decision-making process.”
Protocols and Partnerships The partnership with ISCSP is part of the IDN’s strategy to implement, develop and consolidate the Institute.
“When we thought about this programme and how it would be tailored, our first concern was to meet the scientific and pedagogical goals of the course, particularly because it was a very specific postgraduate programme. Secondly, we took into consideration the areas of our expertise, the ones that are, from the academic perspective, ISCSP key areas: international relations, political science and strategy. Finally, for a more adequate programme, we took into consideration the audience/students and planed and organized a programme that would suit their needs. (…) The specific goals that we were asked to contribute were considered in addition to the IDN’s mission and objectives.”
IDN also signed other cooperation protocols with Portuguese and Timorese institutions. Furthermore, IDN also aims to establish closer relations with ASEAN countries and also militarytechnical cooperation with CPLP countries. For more information, check the IDN website: www.idn.tl.
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AGENDA
www.idn.tl - Newsletter/ May 2014 / Number 2
Headline
PUBLIC PRESENTATION AND DEFENSE RESEARCH GROUPS’FINAL PAPERS
On the 07th February 2014, students of the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) presented their research group’s papers (RGP) in the auditorium of the National Defense Institute (IDN). The students had been divided into three research groups which then presented and publicly defended their respective papers. The first group’s topic was “Contribution to the geopolitical analysis of Timor-Leste”, and was presented by Maj Guido Oliveira, Cap Eugénio Guterres and Cap Henrique da Costa.
(CPLP)”, was the last paper presented by third group: Maj Valério Valente, Cap Laurentino Gusmão and First Lieutenant Guido da Silva. The board of examiners included Maj Rui Rodrigues, (Portuguese Army) Advisor at the FFDTL Land Component in Baucau; Cap José Azevedo (Portuguese Navy) Advisor at the FFDTL Navy Component in Hera; and Professor Ana Luísa Oliveira, Scientific and Pedagogical Assistant Coordinator of the High School Teachers Training Program (PFCIP).
The 2nd topic addressed by the officers Cap Deolindo Amaral, Cap Moisés Guimarães and Cap Bosco Ximenes was “Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): the membership process and its advantages for Timor-Leste”. Finally, “The importance of Timor-Leste to the Community of Portuguese speaking Countries
www.idn.tl - Newsletter/ May 2014 / Number 2
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Headline
THE SOLEMN CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 1st ADVANCE OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE (CPOS) OF THE F-FDTL AND POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN POLITICAL AND MILITARY STUDIES
The solemn closing ceremony of the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course (CPOS) and Postgraduate Diploma in Political and Military Studies took place on February 14, in the auditorium of the headquarters of the F-FDTL in Fatuhada. The closing ceremony was chaired by Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Marçal Avelino Ximenes who briefly addressed the importance of the martyrs of National Liberation and asked for one a minute of silence in their honor. Soon after it was read the students honor code and it was shown a film about the National Defense Institute. The class president and best student Maj Guido Oliveira made a speech expressing his gratitude to all that made the CPOS possible. Maj Guido Oliveira spoke on behalf of all the officers and mentioned that the officers have had the opportunity to “improve our knowledge, particularly professional military knowledge, as well as to be better leaders. We now feel we are better prepared to participate on the decisionmaking process within the chain of command of F-
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During his speech, the Director of National Defense Institute (IDN), Captain-of-Sea-and-War (Full Captain) Donaciano Gomes, affirmed that the completion of the 1st course was a clear sign of the importance of IDN’s mission in “promoting strategic thinking on Defense and consequently on National Security.” Moreover, the Director of the Portuguese Joint Command and Staff College (IESM) also attended the event, as well as other special guests such as Members of the Government, Members of the National Parliament, officers of the Armed and Security Forces, the Diplomatic Corps, academics and other guests. Finally, the Officers who have completed the 1st Advanced Officers Training Course were given their Diplomas and it was shown a video about their visit to Portugal at the end of the course.
www.idn.tl - Newsletter/ May 2014 / Number 2
Headline st
1 Advanced Officers Training Course Director, Maj Arlindo Domingues (IESM) On the occasion of the graduation ceremony of the 1st CPOS, its Course Director Maj Arlindo Domingues made a speech:
“The 1st CPOS started on the 5th april 2013 at the IDN and was the first course taught in this Institute. Counting with 9 Officers of the F-FDTL, namely two Maj, six Cap and one First Tenent. (…) This course had its own pace and rhythm which was adequate to the training and qualifications of the officers. However, this is not to say that it was simplified. On the contrary, the planning of the course took into consideration the officers’ training but also the specific goals and targets of the CPOS, particularly in what concerns the methodology and the evaluation methods. The main purpose was to implement a system of continuous evaluation rather than merely an arithmetic sum of results. (…) During the past 10 months, those 9 Officers have always shown dedication, commitment, organization and perseverance. Such qualities are key to the good performance of a Superior Officer, whatever may be the tasks and missions he will be in charge of. (…) This is to say, that these officers that now finish CPOS, had an excellent and unique opportunity to acquire and share knowledge and experiences, both military and non-military, which are of an undisputable value to their personal and professional careers as well as to the institution they proudly serve and represent, the F-FDTL”
IDN Human Resources’ Policy: Increasing Competences and Qualifications through Traineeship Protocols – ISCSP
In accordance to the 2014 Planning it was established the objective of increasing the experience and qualifications of the IDN human resources. As such, four officers of IDN participated in a traineeship at the School of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP) of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. The traineeship was organized under the umbrella of the cooperation protocol signed between the National Defense Institute of Timor-Leste and the ISCSP, Portugal and consisted on the development of the main organizational departments of the institutions. Ms. Udiana Ximenes and Mr. Ivan Chaves; Mr. Natalino Auxiliadora de Deus and Ms. Virna Lourença de Carvalho from the Financial and Procurement Departments, respectively, have participated in a 4-day intensive traineeship, contacting with the Faculty’s department’s of Finances, Academic Assistance, Human Resources, Research, Quality Management, Training and Consultancy, Cooperation and Development, as well as Culture and Citizenship. At the end of the traineeship the IDN Officers were given the Traineeship Certificates by the President of ISCSP, Professor Manuel Meirinho; the VicePresident of ISCSP, Professor José Dantas Saraiva; the Executive Director Acácio de Almeida Santos, and the head of the President’s Office, Jorge Martins. Mr. Ivan Chaves expressed the gratitude of the officers and the IDN to ISCSP for the valuable and enriching experience, highlighting the importance of the internship for the IDN officers, and also offered a traditional Timorese ‘tais’ which symbolizes the gratitude for the cooperation and the good relations and cooperation between the institutions. The traineeship was a success as the IDN officers were able to learn from the experience of the partner institution and to increase their own experience and contact with other practices and procedures, thus contributing to the improvement of the IDN Human Resources competences and qualifications.Finally, the IDN staff also had the
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INSTITUTO DE DEFESA NACIONAL Palácio do Governo, Edifício n.º 2—3.º andar Apartado 257, Díli, Timor-Leste Tel.:+670 3310376; Email: idn@idn.tl, rdtlndi@gmail.com; Sítio Web: www.idn.tl