Local security and resilience in Dili, Timor-Leste

The research for this report was conducted by RMIT University's Timor-Leste Research Program (Peskiza Timor-Leste), which began working in the country in 2003. The program has always been a small research outfit based around a combination of RMIT staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students, and East Timorese staff. It has undertaken a wide range of work with communities and different organisations, run several major research events, provided research training, as well as hosted student study tours. By 2011, the program decided to close its small office in Dili, continuing the program from Melbourne. This report complements The Asia Foundation's Safety and Security Program which regularly conducts research on security, law and justice in Timor-Leste, and publishes reports that aim to inform program implementation as well as other stakeholders working in the security sector, researchers and policy makers. The Asia Foundation currently implements a Community-Policing Program with one target area in Dili. As part of larger efforts, this report is expected to inform future program implementation as well as help provide baselines for perception of security issues in Dili.