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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONACO BOYS CHOIR INAUGURATES YOUTH CENTER IN TIMOR- LESTE

Dili, Timor- Leste July 18, 2011 As part of their 2011 Concert Tour, the Monaco Boys Choir spent a productive

three days in Dili, Timor- Leste from July 9- 12. In their short time spent in Timor- Leste, the choir was kept busy

with sightseeing and cultural experiences in Dili, as well as three performances in three days. These concerts took

place at the Palacio de Governo, hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmo, in Maubara; hosted by the

Secretary of State for Youth and Sport and Mos Bele (a local NGO); and at the Presidents official residence in

Lahane, hosted by H.E. President Jose Ramos-Horta in a performance to open the Timor- Leste DevelopmentPartners Meeting.

The highlight of their time in Timor- Leste was a trip to the district of Maubara, where the choir was able to see

the results of their efforts from last years concert tour: the creation of a youth center.

The Monaco Boys Choir, following in the footsteps of their Philanthropic Prince Albert II, perform concerts to raise

necessary awareness about important humanitarian needs. During the summer of 2010, the Monaco Boys Choir

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travelled from New York City to Miami performing concerts, a selection of which raised funds to benefit the

creation of a youth center in Maubara.

During the selected concerts, it was the honor of FPCDs Executive Director to present a slide show about the

special youth center project the Monaco Boys Choir helped achieve. The concerts were meant to educate the

public about Timor-Leste, further strengthen the relationship between Monaco and Timor- Leste, and to bridge

cultural divides through a new movement, that of youth helping youth.

Thanks to Timor- Lestes Secretary of State, Mr. Agio Periera, the community of Maubara was identified and the

Monaco Boys Choir wrote a letter expressing their intentions to raise funds to help the youth in the community.

On 29 August 2010, Mr. Pierre Debat, in company of H.E. Parliament President Fernando Lasama de Araujo and

H.E. Secretary of State Periera, visited Maubara to meet with the community to familiarize them with the Monaco

Boys Choir and to interact with the youth regarding the future Maubara Youth Center. Also in August 2010, a

Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Monaco Boys Choir, the FPCD, and the Secretary of State for

Youth and Sports.

The Maubara Youth Center has been made possible under the auspices of the Secretary of State for Youth and

Sports, Mos Bele, a local NGO, and the Portuguese Cooperation.

The combined efforts of the FPCD, the Monaco Boys Choir, and the Government of Timor- Leste came to fruition

during the choirs visit to Timor- Leste, when they were able to meet first hand the children that their singing has

helped. The choir attended the official inauguration of the youth center itself, and interacted with the youth of

Maubara. The community welcomed the choir by performing traditional Timorese dance and singing Timor-

Lestes national anthem. Food and drinks were provided and the youth were able to socialize, sing, and laugh

together. Later, the choir performed a concert for the community of Maubara. The choirs visit to Maubara marks

the continued presence and development cooperation that is a common feature of the special relationship

between the Government of Monaco, the Government of Timor- Leste, and the Foundation for Post Conflict

Development.

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization associated with the

United Nations Department of Public Information dedicated to assisting post conflict countries with projects

essential to their reconstruction, including projects concerning the environment, maternal health issues, youth,

war veteran issues, and the creation of meaningful employment and cultural preservation. Through direct

education, action and development (or the promotion of global partnership for such efforts), the FPCDs mission is

to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the UN. The FPCDs landmark project is the Prince Rainier

III Maternity Clinic, the first of its kind in Timor-Leste.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Faith Bogue, Assistant to the Executive Director

245 Park Avenue, 24th Floor

NYC, 10167 USA

Tel.: (212) 643 - 5467

E-Mail: fbogue@postconflictdev.org

Website: www.postconflictdev.org