Yogyakarta – Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Community Peace and Reconciliation Study Center by involving universities and civil society organizations across the region.

"We propose the establishment of an ASEAN Community Peace and Reconciliation Study Center, involving universities and civil society organizations across the region to study and promote local conflict resolution methods and restorative justice," he said here on Thursday.

In a speech entitled "Empowering Communities: Education, Social Entrepreneurship, and Peace," Ramos-Horta emphasized that reconciliation is not an abstract concept, but a process that can be learned and passed down from generation to generation.

"Reconciliation is an art that can be learned and taught," he said.

He said that Timor-Leste's long experience in building peace after conflict provides a strong model to push similar initiatives at the regional level.

He added that the reconciliation process carried out by his administration was a part of efforts to rebuild the community.

"We established a truth and reconciliation process, promoted dialogue, and invested in rebuilding the community's social network," he said.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said that local and traditional approaches should be given a place in peacebuilding processes in Southeast Asia.

"Models such as Tara Bandu and other traditional intergenerational dialogue forms must be recognized as effective tools for mediation, transformation, and social peace in various contexts," he said.

Tara Bandu is a customary legal mechanism in Timor-Leste used to regulate the governance of natural resources.

Ramos-Horta also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between true peace and false peace, saying peace is not merely the absence of war.

He added that negative peace is forced, but positive peace is found at home, in schools, and within all communities.

Genuine reconciliation requires political courage and grassroots involvement, including through collaboration between communities and educational institutions, he said.

Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/370305/ramos-horta-proposes-peace-reconciliation-center-for-asea