Abstract:

"The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Jose Ramos-Horta and Bishop Carlos Belo of East Timor, for their efforts over the last 21 years to bring peace to that South Pacific island. In 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor, under the guise of avoiding a communist takeover. The island was annexed, against its will, to Indonesia in 1976. Some 200,000 East Timorese, or roughly one-third of the population, have perished under Indonesian rule. Despite ten United Nations resolutions calling upon Indonesia to withdraw from East Timor, the island was still occupied as of 1997. Jose Ramos-Horta has been in exile from East Timor for 21 years, due to his efforts to alert world governments to the situation there. Recently, Ramos-Horta, now living in Australia, has proposed a plan to bring peace, through self-determination, to his native land. Bishop Belo, named East Timor’s Bishop of Dili, has worked to bring peace and justice to the island, while walking a thin line between political activism and church leadership. This inspiring program offers a glimpse into an area of the world which has become a battleground for human rights, and the two men who have led the crusade. Includes: 1 25-minute video, 1 Leader’s Guide with lesson plans, student activities, and discussion questions; 2 Blackline Masters "