UNSW students join Timor-Leste partners to advance sustainable and inclusive development

A UNSW Engineering delegation travelled to Dili, Timor-Leste, in October 2025 to participate in a conference on Nature-based Solutions and the International PermaYouth Convergence (IPYC). The visit reflected UNSW’s ongoing partnership with the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), and key community partner Permatil, a Timorese organisation recognised for its leadership in environmental education and regenerative agriculture.

The Conference, titled ‘The Role of Nature-Based Solutions for Healthy Communities in Timor-Leste’, was held at DIT on 14 and 15 October. It brought together representatives from government, universities, and community organisations to explore how environmental management and local innovation contribute to sustainable development in Timor-Leste.

UNSW Engineering contributed to sessions focused on water and food security, renewable energy, and climate adaptation, building on more than three decades of collaboration between UNSW and Timor-Leste.

Following the conference, UNSW students joined the six-day Permatil Youth Camp in Ermera District from 20 to 25 October. The convergence gathered youth from Timor-Leste with international participants to share learning on permaculture, regenerative agriculture and community-led climate solutions.

Permatil led a program of practical workshops on soil and water conservation, sustainable food systems, and community leadership in environmental management. The camp combined technical learning with cultural exchange, demonstrating how Indigenous and local knowledge can inform sustainable design and inclusive development, supporting Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The program provided UNSW students with a unique opportunity to participate in an international experience focused on sustainability and inclusion. Through hands-on collaboration with Timorese youth and community leaders, students gained insight into how engineering can be applied in low-resource settings and how local knowledge and global expertise intersect to create lasting impact.

One student participant reflected, “Being part of this delegation helped me see how engineering connects to real community priorities. It showed me that sustainable design isn’t just about technology, it’s about people, relationships, and listening to local voices.”

Students also reflected on the personal dimension of global engagement, building cross-cultural understanding, strengthening leadership skills, and developing a deeper appreciation for community-led innovation and resilience.

The 2025 engagement builds on UNSW’s long-standing collaboration with Timor-Leste, which began with the Diplomacy Training Program in 1988 and continues through joint initiatives in education, engineering, and environmental innovation. The recent camp in Ermera was the third PermaYouth Camp UNSW has been involved with, with the UNSW Engineering Societal Impact and Translation Team having UNSW students to participate in the first regional PermaYouth camp on Atauro Island on 21-24 January 2025 and the National PermaYouth Camp in Ermera in October 2024.

UNSW’s participation in the Timor-Leste Conference and the Permatil Youth Camp reflects the University’s commitment to societal impact, inclusion, and partnership-driven learning that advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals.