20 May 2002

Dili, East Timor: Some 200,000 East Timorese from all parts of the country were gathered at Taci Tolo site in the outskirts of Dili to witness independence celebrations, led by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Xanana Gusmao. Many of them had spent the previous night at the site to make sure not to miss the historic event marking the end of the United Nations Transitional Administration to East Timor (UNTAET) and the official birth of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.

UN Volunteer Tarik Jasarevic from Bosnia played an important role in the celebration. He was one of two UN civilian staff members who -- together with two representatives of the peacekeeping force and two civilian police -- lowered the UN flag and raised the black, white and yellow East Timorese flag at midnight. "I feel honoured and grateful that I could represent UNV at this unique moment in history," he said. "I truly believe that we all deserve the recognition. United Nations Volunteers were a great team and have jointly accomplished a great job."

During the past three years of transition towards independence for East Timor, the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) has built up its largest single presence ever. Some 3,000 UN Volunteers from more than 100 countries have supported the East Timor Public Administration, including electoral processes, and carried out a range of activities nationwide as part of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). No other UN operation has made such extensive use of UN Volunteers and their expertise. UN Volunteers have also been essential in preparing for the East Timor's Independence Day ceremonies and celebrations. In his speech shortly before the flag-changing ceremony at midnight, Senior Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Jose Ramos-Horta thanked UN Volunteers in the country for their contributions.

He had already acknowledged UNV's important role in East Timor at the official opening ceremony of the International People's Park and Football Field (IPP) hosted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sunday afternoon. He presented a "Distinguished Service Award" to the UNV Executive Coordinator, Sharon Capeling-Alakija, and three members of the UNV team -- on behalf of all UN Volunteers who served in East Timor. The team consisted of Kevin Gilroy, the Head of the UNV programme in East Timor, and two UN Volunteers, Ms. Thandi Mwape from Zambia, and Mr. Chana Opaskornkul from Thailand.

Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Prize laureate of 1996, had been the source of inspiration for the creation of the park. He acknowledged "the immense contribution of United Nations Volunteers to our economic recovery, infrastructure and democracy … On behalf of all East Timorese I would like to thank each and every one of those dedicated women and men, deep from our hearts," Ramos-Horta said. In his opening remarks to the IPP inauguration ceremony, the UN Secretary-General had extended special words of thanks to Sharon Capeling-Alakija and the nearly 3,000 UN volunteers from more than 100 countries, who have so far worked in East Timor, "for their commitment, spirit and compassion".

"It has been a privilege for UNV to accompany East Timor on their last 100 yards in a 25 year struggle for independence," said UNV Executive Coordinator Sharon Capeling-Alakija, after receiving the award. Addressing the UN Volunteers, she said: "Thank you for your deep commitment and courage. You have all made us proud."

After the award ceremony, Jose Ramos-Horta officially inaugurated the International People's Park by unveiling a stone monument in its centre with an inlaid marble plaque. It honours the contribution, commitment and achievements of the thousands of international peacekeepers, UN Police, UN civilian staff, UN Volunteers, humanitarian workers and the international community at large who have assisted the people of East Timor on their journey to Independence.

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Text of Plaque:

INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE'S PARK This site honours the historic contribution, personal commitment and achievements of the thousands of international peacekeepers, UN Police, UN civilian staff, UN Volunteers, humanitarian workers, and the international community at large who have assisted the people of East Timor on its journey to Independence

We shall never forget you, our international friends…

This site inspired and dedicated on May 19th, 2002 by Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

This site was fully sponsored by the United Nations Volunteers on the occasion of East Timor's Independence and the official visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan and the UNV Executive Coordinator, Sharon Capeling-Alakija