Press Release

On Saturday 25 May 2019, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers held 10th anniversary event at Timor Plaza to introduce volunteer's grass roots level activities and achievements with some introductions of Japan's cultures, such as Japanese dance, Aikido, drama & music, and fashion show. In this occasion, JICA is also celebrating the numbers of volunteers that has been reached 100 since first dispatch.

JOCV program was established in 1965. An agreement to dispatch JOCV was signed between Japan and Timor-Leste in 2005 and the first dispatch of JOCV to Timor-Leste was in 2010. Since the agreement was signed, the numbers of volunteers dispatched to Timor-Leste has been reached 100. Currently 31 JOCVs are working as experts in government institutions, hospitals, schools and NGOs in Dili, Ermera, Aileu, Maubisse, Baucau Venilale and Maliana.

JOCVs have been contributing to the human resources development in Timor-Leste in the fields of HEALTH/ SOCIAL WALFARE (Nutrition, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Public Health Nurse, Information Communication Technology), TOURISM (Marketing, Handicraft, Photography, Dressmaking, Ceramics, Museology, Tourism, TV Program Production), AGRICULTURE, YOUTH & SPORT and EDUCATION (Physical Education, Football, Volleyball, Aikido).

JOCV's motto is "Together with Local Community", indicating that they are eager to work together with local people and contribute to the socio economic development of Timor-Leste. Because of their expertise, locally committed activities and fluency in Tetum, their performances are highly appreciated by a number of institutions and people of Timor-Leste, and the requests for the dispatch of JOCVs are continuing to increase.