Dare, Dili | 26–27 June 2026 – Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL), through its National Society Development (NSD) and Youth Department, successfully convened the Eighth National Youth Assembly over two days at the Centru Retiru Dare, Vera Cruz Administrative Post, Dili Municipality.
The National Youth Assembly served as an important platform to review the implementation of the CVTL Youth Programme (2025–2026), strengthen youth governance and leadership, examine the CVTL Youth Policy, and conduct democratic elections for the positions of National Youth President and National Youth Vice-President for the 2026–2028 term.
During the assembly, delegates reviewed programme and financial reports, assessed achievements and challenges, discussed updates to the CVTL Youth Policy, and received guidance on the electoral process in accordance with the CVTL Statutes and Internal Regulations. On the second day, candidates presented their campaign messages before delegates cast their votes through a secret ballot, followed by a transparent vote-counting process.
The assembly brought together 26 youth delegates representing all 13 CVTL Branches, with each branch represented by one female and one male delegate. Delegates came from the National Society’s four operational regions: Region I: Baucau, Lautém, and Viqueque, Region II: Dili, Manatuto, and Oé-Cusse, Region III: Aileu, Ainaro, Covalima, and Manufahi, Region IV: Bobonaro, Ermera, and Liquiçá.
Following a free, fair, and democratic election, delegates elected Ms. Angelita Ramos Amaral Soares de Jesus as National Youth President and Mr. Libanio dos Santos Lobato as National Youth Vice-President for the 2026–2028 term.
The opening ceremony was attended by former National Youth President Ms. Domingas Fátima Araújo, former National Youth Vice-President Mr. Bonifacio Enclave Abi, CVTL President Mrs. Madalena Soares Hanjam, and CVTL Secretary General Mr. Agapito da Silva.
In her opening remarks, CVTL President Mrs. Madalena Soares Hanjam highlighted the essential role of young people in shaping the future of the National Society. She encouraged the newly elected leaders to serve with integrity, responsibility, and a strong spirit of volunteerism, while fostering unity among young volunteers and expanding humanitarian action to support vulnerable communities across Timor-Leste.
Following the announcement of the election results, National Youth President Ms. Angelita Ramos Amaral Soares de Jesus and National Youth Vice-President Mr. Libanio dos Santos Lobato expressed their sincere gratitude to the delegates for the trust placed in them. They reaffirmed their commitment to leading with transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability while working closely with youth members across all CVTL branches. They also called on young volunteers to remain united and actively contribute to humanitarian initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable people throughout the country.
The newly elected leadership will guide the CVTL Youth network over the next two years, promoting volunteerism, strengthening youth leadership, and increasing youth participation in humanitarian action nationwide.
The Eighth National Youth Assembly was implemented with the support of the Civil Society Support Office (GASC).
