“If those in power, wherever we are, whichever country but also at whatever level in society that we are leaders, began working together— we would eliminate abject poverty and ensure that poverty becomes history in twenty years from now. It’s a moral duty of any of us as human beings” - José Ramos-Horta

One of eleven children, José Ramos-Horta was born to a Timorese mother and Portuguese father on December 26, 1949, in Dili, East Timor. His father was a member of the Portuguese Navy and was exiled to East Timor after protesting Portugal’s military dictatorship. His mother survived the devastating invasion of the Japanese military during World War II, during which she lost all but one member of her family.

José was educated in a Catholic mission school in the remote hills of East Timor. He grew up without television and was therefore not heavily influenced by media or stars of the day. The single movie theater in his home town featured primarily western films starring popular figures such as John Wayne. He also was not influenced by musicians, although he did listen to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and was impressed not so much by their music, but by the widespread acclaim they received.

When he was 18 years old, Jose met the same fate as his father, being exiled to Mozambique for comments that were deemed as “subversive.” These statements, made among friends, questioned Portugal’s control over East Timor because of the poverty and underdevelopment of the country. After a brief time back in his home country, he was exiled again from 1970-1971 for his activism which again spoke out against the Portuguese Military rule.

In 1974, when José was 25 years old, Portugal gave up its colony and East Timor declared independence. Though many people in East Timor were excited about the newly gained independence, they were also worried that Indonesia had other plans for their tiny country. Their fears were not unwarranted and despite all of their best efforts, Indonesia invaded and began its brutal occupation of the tiny country. José spent the next 24 years in exile trying to bring the story of East Timor to the world.

As the youngest person to address the United Nations, he was successful in convincing UN representatives to pass a resolution supporting the independence of East Timor. Despite this victory, Indonesia continued their occupation. José continued to push the UN and other world leaders to convince Indonesia to allow East Timor to regain and maintain its sovereignty.

In 1992, José formally presented a three-stage peace plan to the European Parliament. The plan called for withdrawal of Indonesian troops, release of political prisoners, respect for human rights and the stationing of UN peacekeepers in East Timor. The final phase of the plan called for a period of time during which East Timor would be independent, followed by a UN-supervised vote, allowing the East Timorese to choose between independence, becoming a part of Indonesia, or association with Portugal.

In December 1996, José Ramos-Horta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his sustained efforts to stop the oppression of his people. In the year 2000, the people of East Timor won their struggle for independence and became the world’s newest democracy. When the East Timorese people held their vote to decide the fate of their country, independence won overwhelmingly. In response the Indonesian army burned and destroyed all that they could on their way out of the country, leaving the people with nothing.

José was able to go home for the first time in 24 years and see first hand the devastation of his beautiful homeland, but also to the hope of this people. Despite the fact that four of his eleven brothers and sisters, were killed by the Indonesian military, José believes that peace can only come to East Timor though reconciliation and forgiveness. He says, “Just remember that violence leads you nowhere. We have to learn not to be violent if we want to have power. Compassion, generosity, humility, tolerance are real power.”

Xanana Gusmao, East Timor’s first president, appointed José Ramos-Horta to serve as the country’s first Foreign Minister. José was then elected President of East Timor in 2007 and is working to develop the infrastructure of East Timor and bring peace to his people.

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