On August 6, 2024, a special event took place at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace in East Timor. ASEZ, the World Mission Society Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, was invited by East Timor’s President Jose Ramos Horta to discuss ASEZ’s “Earth Recovery Project”, which is currently active in 175 countries worldwide.
The Earth Recovery Project is a newly proposed initiative by ASEZ, designed to prevent and restore environment and combat desertification. ASEZ members from 175 countries are actively participating in this global effort to regenerate the Earth. In response to the pressing environmental challenges of desertification and land degradation, ASEZ is building networks by continent, with campuses serving as hubs, to restore and conserve ecosystems through the Earth Recovery Project.
On the day of the event, the meeting began at 9 AM with greetings between the President and ASEZ members. President Jose Ramos Horta shook hands with each ASEZ member, expressing gratitude for their efforts in environmental conservation in East Timor. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance, who learned about ASEZ’s activities and paid attention to various volunteer service and supporting initiatives taking place in different countries.
ASEZ’s efforts at UNTL were introduced including the campus cleanup, the Reduce Crime Together seminar, beach cleanup at Motayel Park, and mural painting for academic environment improvement in Lospalos region. In response, the President acknowledged the significance of ASEZ’s ongoing volunteer efforts in East Timor, where practical environmental protection actions had been lacking, and applauded ASEZ’s achievements. President Jose Ramos Horta stated, “As President, I have long promoted the need to clean beaches, collect plastic, and plant trees for the environment. However, there has been little practical and sustained action. I hope ASEZ’s activities will continue until our environmental mission is achieved,” expressing his support by signing the MOU for ASEZ’s Earth Recovery Project.
After the meeting, interviews were conducted in the presidential palace lobby with various media outlets, including the East Timor National Broadcasting Corporation. An ASEZ member Norbertina Da Costa who participated in the meeting stated, “Today, through the meeting with the President and his signing in support, I felt confident that ASEZ’s activities will expand throughout East Timor. I hope we can continue to carry out such environmental activities in all regions of East Timor and that more passionate ASEZ initiatives will take place.”
ASEZ’s efforts are expanding beyond campuses to a global scale. Attention is focused on the upcoming ASEZ activities in East Timor.
