Youth Perspectives on Community, Trust, and Conflict

Abstract

This briefing note examines intergenerational aspects of community involvement, trust, and authority, and dispute participation/resolution in Timor-Leste, using findings from the justice module included in an extension of the 2007 Timor-Leste Survey of Living Standards (TLSLS2) and a review of relevant social-science literature. It is hoped that this report will be a valuable resource for civil servants, civil society organizations, and donor agencies working with youth in Timor-Leste. The extension survey (TLSLSx) revisited a nationally representative subsample of the TLSLS2 between April and October 2008. The respondent for the justice module was randomly selected to be the household head or his/her spouse, and topics included: (1) access to information and decision making; (2) opinions and knowledge of the law; (3) trust and local institutions; and (4) dispute resolution. Findings from this survey have been summarized in three short briefing papers focusing on youth perspectives, land and conflict, and community trust and decision making.