My dear children of Timor-Leste and children around the world,
Today, on International Children's Day, we celebrate you -- our greatest treasure and brightest hope for tomorrow. Each of you carries within your hearts the dreams that will shape our nation and our world.
As we honor this special day, I want every child in Timor-Leste to know that you are valued, you are loved, and your voices matter. From Tasi Feto to Tasi Mane, from rural villages to urban centers, every child deserves the opportunity to learn, to grow, to dream, and to thrive.
Our nation was born from the courage and sacrifice of those who believed in a better tomorrow. Today, that tomorrow belongs to you. You are the inheritors of our independence, the guardians of our culture, and the architects of our future. Your education is not just your right -- it is the foundation upon which our nation will continue to build peace, prosperity, and progress.
True investment in children begins even before birth. We must support expectant mothers with quality prenatal care, ensuring healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries. Our commitment extends to newborn care, promoting breastfeeding, and establishing robust early childhood programs. Access to clean water, proper sanitation, and comprehensive preschool education forms the bedrock of healthy development.
Every child deserves protection from harm, quality healthcare and education, nutritious meals, and the fundamental right to play and simply be children. These are not privileges -- they are fundamental rights we must safeguard for every young person in our nation.
To our young people already showing leadership in your communities, learning multiple languages, embracing technology, and connecting with the world while staying rooted in our Timorese values -- you inspire us all. You prove that being small in size does not limit the greatness of our dreams or achievements.
Parents, teachers, and community leaders, let us recommit ourselves to creating environments where children can flourish. We must listen to their ideas, support their aspirations, and ensure that every decision we make considers its impact on future generations.
Together, we will build a Timor-Leste where every child can attend school, feels safe, dreams without limits, and knows they have a valued place in our nation's story. This means investing in maternal health clinics, expanding early childhood education centers, improving water and sanitation infrastructure, and ensuring every child receives proper nutrition from their earliest days.
To all children: you are not just the leaders of tomorrow -- you are important today. Your curiosity, joy, questions, and dreams matter. Keep learning, keep asking questions, keep believing in yourselves, and never forget that you have the power to make our world better.
May this International Children's Day remind us all that investing in children -- from prenatal care through early education -- is investing in peace, prosperity, and the beautiful future of our beloved Timor-Leste.
With love and best wishes for all children in Timor-Leste and around the world.
J. RAMOS-HORTA
President and Nobel Peace Laureate
