Social and economic development in Oecusse, Timor-Leste

This was the first major report commissioned to detail the various challenges faced by an isolated enclave of Oecusse in post-independence Timor-Leste. All major stakeholders were interviewed-state, CBOs and NGOs as well as international agencies-so as to draw together sets of solutions for the district. Also translated to Indonesian. The aim of the report was to identify the major challenges to development in Oecusse and provide ways forward in terms of their resolution. The report drew together key information on development programs, security challenges, migration and economic policies, as well as a consideration of infrastructure needs and recognition of cultural factors and political heritage into a single report. Information on many of these issues were not previously available for organizational use or policy development, and what had been available was updated. Five years after its publication it was still being used by government departments and aid agencies as providing the most effective overview of the development challenges facing that district. It was reprinted and redistributed in 2009. The report has been used by organisations such as Oxfam and Caritas in their development work in Oecusse, as well as state agencies. The report has been cited in a number of refereed journal articles as well as consultancy reports. More than 1000 copies of the report were printed and distributed, it was re-printed twice and has been fully translated to Indonesian and distributed nationally