Timor-Leste, which gained its independence in 2002, is one of the world's youngest countries. Born out of a history of violence and poverty, in recent years Timor-Leste has experienced both social stability and rapid growth, and its development prospects have strengthened considerably.

Timor-Leste has also been a pioneer in establishing the g7+, a group of 17 fragile states, which was formed in 2010 as a country-owned

The Harold Mitchell Development Policy Annual Lecture Series, of which this is the first, has been created to provide a new forum at which the most pressing development issues can be addressed by the best minds and most influential practitioners of our time.

Emilia Pires has been Finance Minister of Timor-Leste since April 2007. She is the founding chair of the g7+,and a member of the High-level Panel advising the United Nations Secretary-General on the post 2015 global development agenda.

Harold Mitchell AC is founder of the Harold Mitchell Foundation and Chairman, Aegis Media, Australia and New Zealand. He will inaugurate the lecture series.

This event with be hosted by Professor Ian Young AO, ANU Vice-Chancellor; Professor Andrew MacIntyre, Dean, College of Asia and the Pacific; Professor Tom Kompas, Director, Crawford School of Public Policy; and Professor Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre.

This seminar is presented by the Development Policy Centre at the Crawford School of Public Policy.

Related blog post: http://devpolicy.org/the-war-against-poverty-starts-with-a-battle-of-ideas-20121124/

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