The President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jose Ramos Horta, conducted a visit to Indonesia. This marks his fourth visit after 2002, 2012, and 2017.
In 2025, he had the opportunity to visit UGM for the second time, also serving as a speaker. UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia received him in the UGM Annual Lecture, Nobel Laureate Series Forum at the Senate Hall on Wednesday (Jul. 3).
President Horta, along with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno, Professor Todung Mulya Lubis, and UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, discussed the topic Community Empowerment: Education, Social Entrepreneurship, and Peace in KKN-PPM UGM.
Besides strengthening bilateral relations through educational diplomacy, the visit of the Timor-Leste President this time was intended to build peace and enhance the partnership between the two countries.
Delivering the topic of community service as a foundation for global leadership, President Horta stated that the Community Service Program through Kuliah Kerja Nyata-Pembelajaran Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (KKN-PPM) is a program that combines academic excellence with learning for community empowerment.
“This program is certainly very inspiring and deserves recognition and global replication,” he said.
Speaking about the marginalized, the struggle for social justice, and achieving lasting positive peace, President Horta emphasized that the government should place the people at the center of its policies.
According to him, inclusivity, laws, and policies must embrace all parties and be non-discriminatory.
“In multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious countries, all parties must feel protected by the Constitution. Laws and policies must be in accordance with the principles listed in the Constitution, with a fair allocation of resources,” he stated.
A leader, the president said, should be able to articulate a convincing vision for the future.
A future free from conflict, poverty, and injustice. This vision must be based on a realistic understanding of the present and enforced with concrete and achievable steps and goals.
“It’s about dreaming big but acting smart. Inspirational leadership is, above all, community-centered. It’s not about imposing solutions, but about listening deeply to communities, understanding their needs, their inherent strengths, and their traditional wisdom, and appreciating their local knowledge,” the president revealed.
He added, “We need to empower them to be the architects of their own transformation, and equip them with the tools, skills, and opportunities so they can build their own paths.”
The world in the future, he said, still faces numerous major challenges, including multidimensional poverty, economic and social inequality, climate change, and protracted conflicts.
Nevertheless, with the capacity for innovation, cooperation, and resilience, a better world can be built.
“I am very confident that through dedicated leadership, the power of education, the creativity of social entrepreneurship, and the relentless struggle to achieve peace, we can build a better world,” President Horta added.
This 2025 visit is the Timor-Leste President’s second visit to UGM. A day before, the delegation enjoyed Kopi Klothok culinary on Kaliurang Street and Sate Pak Pong Stall in Bantul.
“This is the fourth time I have been in Yogyakarta. The first time in 2002, the second in 2012, the third in 2017, and this time is the second time at this great university, the alma mater for thousands of Timorese,” he explained.
Professor Emilia revealed that KKN-PPM continues to experience improvements. In early 2025, UGM began exploring cooperation with alumni in Timor-Leste to enhance the university’s tri-dharma programs, including the International KKN-PPM program.
She mentioned that the KKN-PPM program serves as a joint learning space, allowing students to learn with one another.
KKN-PPM students also work in groups or partner with stakeholders in the community.
“The KKN-PPM UGM program is consistently aimed at addressing community problems and contributing to national development. This program is implemented based on the principles of co-creation, co-funding, sustainability, flexibility, and a multidisciplinary approach,” Professor Emilia explained.
She added, “This allows the program to foster the graduates’ readiness to become creative and proactive leaders.”
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto Adi