Xanana Gusmão

Xanana Gusmão

For 40 years, Xanana Gusmão has worked for the freedom and development of his native country of Timor-Leste. During these 40 years, Xanana Gusmão has held many roles including: resistance leader, poet, political prisoner, negotiator, diplomat, and politician. Despite the numerous and important roles he has held, one of his most famous and important roles has been as a leader of forgiveness and reconciliation in Timor-Leste.

José Ramos-Horta

José Ramos-Horta

José Ramos-Horta is a political activist who fought for East Timor’s independence for 24 years in exile. During his time in exile, Ramos-Horta was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, “for their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor.”1