Reflecting on the legacies of Timor-Leste's remarkable journey from colonialism to sovereign and democratic Independence, the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Timor-Leste provides a comprehensive and up-to-date reference work on all aspects of life in Timor-Leste. Following an introduction and overview of the country, the Handbook is divided into five parts: Politics and governance Economics and development Social policies and the terms of inclusion Cultural impacts Regional relations Written by an international team of experts, the Handbook covers the principle concerns that have contributed significantly to the shape and character of contemporary Timor-Leste. It offers a timely and valuable reference guide for students, scholars and policymakers with an interest in International Relations, Southeast Asian Studies and Peace Studies.

A hundred famous writers share their experiences, essays, fiction, poems, meditations, and inspired ideas on the joy of being thankful. These honest and heartfelt writings will add gladness to your days. * Wendell Berry * David Brooks * Joan Chittister * James Martin * Thich Nhat Hanh * Henri Nouwen * Mary Oliver * Richard Rohr * Joyce Rupp * David Steindl-Rast * Rowan Williams and many others whose spiritual perceptions already bring joy and faith to millions.

Timor-Leste's long journey to nationhood spans 450 years of colonial rule by Portugal, a short-lived independence in 1975, and a 24-year occupation by Indonesia. This book examines the history of nation-building and national identity in Timor-Leste, and the evolution of a collective identity through two consecutive colonial occupations, and into the post-independence era. It charts the evolution of the idea of an East Timorese nation: its origins, its sources, and its competitors in traditional understandings of political community, and the distinct colonial visions imposed by Portugal or Indonesia. The author analyses the evolution of ideas of collective identity under the long era of Portuguese colonial rule, and through the 24-year struggle for independence from Indonesia from 1975 to 1999. Reflecting the contested history of the territory, these include successive attempts to define its members as colonial subjects in a wider 'pluri-racial' Portuguese empire, as citizens in an 'integrated' province of the Republic of Indonesia - and, of course, as a nation that demanded its right to self-determination. Finally, the host of nation-building tensions and fault lines that emerged after the restoration of independence in 2002 are discussed. Examining the history of debates and conflict over national identity, national history, cultural heritage, language policy, and relationships between distinct regions, generations, and language groups, this book will be of interest to academics in the fields of Asian studies, nationalism studies, and international and community development.

East Timor continues to be an example of a state built from the ground up, a society rebuilding itself after almost a quarter of a century of profound trauma, and consecutive eras of colonialism. The impact East Timor has had, and continues to have, across a range of fields, belies the small size of its population and territory.

This book examines the key challenges of national building in Timor-Leste in the ten years since the 1999 independence referendum. It addresses key issues in the development and reconstruction of an independent East Timor, highlighting its successes and its failures, as well as a set of unresolved issues confronting the state. East Timor provides a clear example of the challenges of post-conflict nation-building. Following the 1999 violence which precipitated institutional collapse within the territory, East Timor was often described as a nation without a state . Prior to the resurgence of violence in April 2006, the UN-led mission in East Timor (UNTAET) was considered one of the most successful examples of international state-building intervention.

The author examines the history of debates and conflict over issues of national identity, national history, cultural heritage, language policy, and relationships between distinct regions, generations, and language groups. Interdisciplinary in its approach, the analysis links qualitative studies of cultural nationalism with quantitative analyses of popular attitudes to national identity. The book argues that nation-building - in the sense of creating the conditions for social cohesion, political stability and identity formation - is a neglected dimension of the state-building process in post-independence Timor-Leste, and that these national faultlines have been key sources of civil conflict since independence. "

Essays, fiction, poems, meditations, and inspired ideas by renowned writers from around the world offer readers inspiring reflections on the grace and rewards of being kind. Included are selections by Victor Hugo, Anne Lamott, James Martin, Dorothy Day, George Saunders, Mother Teresa, and many others.

During the 24-year Indonesian occupation of East Timor, thousands of people died, or were killed, in circumstances that did not allow the required death rituals to be performed. Since the nation's independence, families and communities have invested considerable time, effort and resources in fulfilling their obligations to the dead. These obligations are imbued with urgency because the dead are ascribed agency and can play a benevolent or malevolent role in the lives of the living. These grassroots initiatives run, sometimes critically, in parallel with official programs that seek to transform particular dead bodies into public symbols of heroism, sacrifice and nationhood. The Dead as Ancestors, Martyrs, and Heroes in Timor-Leste focuses on the dynamic interplay between the potent presence of the dead in everyday life and their symbolic usefulness to the state. It underlines how the dead shape relationships amongst families, communities and the nation-state, and open an important window into - are in fact pivotal to - processes of state and nation formation.

Reflecting on the legacies of Timor-Leste's remarkable journey from colonialism to sovereign and democratic Independence, the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Timor-Leste provides a comprehensive and up-to-date reference work on all aspects of life in Timor-Leste. Following an introduction and overview of the country, the Handbook is divided into five parts: Politics and governance Economics and development Social policies and the terms of inclusion Cultural impacts Regional relations Written by an international team of experts, the Handbook covers the principle concerns that have contributed significantly to the shape and character of contemporary Timor-Leste. It offers a timely and valuable reference guide for students, scholars and policymakers with an interest in International Relations, Southeast Asian Studies and Peace Studies.

The Politics of Timor-Leste explores the critical issues facing the Asia-Pacific's youngest nation as it seeks to consolidate a democracy following years of international intervention. The authors study the challenges that have burdened the state since it broke from Indonesia amid the violence of 1999 and formally achieved full independence in 2002. They assess the notable accomplishments of Timor-Leste s leaders and citizens, and consider the country s future prospects as international organizations prepare to depart. A close study of Timor-Leste sheds light on ambitious state-building projects that have been initiated, with varying success, across the globe.

Contributors to this volume map the nation s recent political evolution through studies of its constitutional debates, political parties, and foreign policy responses to powerful neighbors. They address the social and economic conditions that complicate Timor-Leste s political development, such as gender discrimination, poverty, corruption, and security-sector volatility. The contemporary history of Timor-Leste reflects the experiences of many postcolonial and developing countries that have sought to establish a viable state following conflict and a declaration of independence. This small nation has been the subject of five consecutive UN missions with varying mandates. The Politics of Timor-Leste ought to serve as a key source for comparative postcolonial studies and a guide to future trends in international state-building and assistance."

The Politics of Timor-Leste explores the critical issues facing the Asia-Pacific's youngest nation as it seeks to consolidate a democracy following years of international intervention. The authors study the challenges that have burdened the state since it broke from Indonesia amid the violence of 1999 and formally achieved full independence in 2002. They assess the notable accomplishments of Timor-Leste s leaders and citizens, and consider the country s future prospects as international organizations prepare to depart. A close study of Timor-Leste sheds light on ambitious state-building projects that have been initiated, with varying success, across the globe.

Contributors to this volume map the nation s recent political evolution through studies of its constitutional debates, political parties, and foreign policy responses to powerful neighbors. They address the social and economic conditions that complicate Timor-Leste s political development, such as gender discrimination, poverty, corruption, and security-sector volatility. The contemporary history of Timor-Leste reflects the experiences of many postcolonial and developing countries that have sought to establish a viable state following conflict and a declaration of independence. This small nation has been the subject of five consecutive UN missions with varying mandates. The Politics of Timor-Leste ought to serve as a key source for comparative postcolonial studies and a guide to future trends in international state-building and assistance."

Experiencing the Truth communicates the need of a vibrant, experiential, Reformed Christianity among African-Americans and all believers.

How does a believer choose a church to attend? Sadly too many Christians search for churches that serve them and meet their perceived needs. Instead they should prefer places where God is exalted and biblical truth and Christian doctrine are proclaimed. Such churches are essential if Christians are to understand what God is doing and what he calls His people to be.

Experiencing the Truth presents these truths not simply to African-American churches, but also to the whole church today. Anthony Carter, Michael Leach, and Ken Jones clearly present the need for a vibrant, experiential, Reformed Christianity among African-Americans. These authors lay out the biblical basis for choosing and attending a church, and they demonstrate how the historic Reformed expression has been the most biblically accurate and experientially consistent expression of Christianity.

A celebration of the treasured traditions, rituals, and stories that run through the bloodstream of American Catholics
For Andrew Greeley, it is the reverence of Christmas night and the exultation of Easter morn. Martin Scorsese, like many others, remains grateful for the nuns who rapped his knuckles but built his self-esteem. Mary Gordon recalls the sense of lightness that follows confession; Vince Lombardi, the strength he derived from Mass; and Christopher Buckley, the role St. Thomas More plays in his writing. This is not a book of theology. It is about the beauty at the heart of Catholicism. It is about what Teilhard de Chardin called "the chosen part of things." It is about family and community, the value of Catholic education, the significance of sacraments and milestones, and the cultural impact of Catholicism--there are lists of the ten best Catholic novels, the ten best Catholic movies, ten Catholic heroes of the twentieth century, ten good reasons to raise your kids Catholic, fifty things Catholics like best about being Catholic, and much more ... "From the Hardcover edition.

A marvelous collection of prayers from around the world -- from Gallup, New Mexico to Bangkok, Thailand -- that are the favorites of Maryknollers: priests, Brothers, Sisters, and lay missioners.

Grandfather,

Look at our brokenness. . . .

Teach us love, compassion, and honor

That we may heal the earth

And heal each other.

You are rich in goodness and mercy and you know everything;

You are the peace without which no being can exit.

You watch over all things and Your infinite compassion gathers us together,

Oh Mighty One

You are also and above all the Hidden One

Who wants to be revealed in the depth of my heart.

These excerpts from an Ojibway prayer (top) and a Muslim prayer from Bangladesh (bottom) show a small sample of the richness of Maryknoll's world of prayer.

The prayers, which have been sent in from the four corners of the Maryknoll world, are arranged thematically and indexed by place of origin. They celebrate God's creation and the diversity of God's peoples. They also lift up the needs of the poor and oppressed within God's kingdom and open those who pray to the rewards and challenges of Maryknoll missioners around the world. Included will be a full-color insert of a prayer-photo meditation by Father Joe Veneroso.