A fresh take on Timor-Leste

East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta has been presented with a UNSW-led report about young peoples' perspectives on the recent crisis in his country.

The report comes on the heels of more than a year of instability and violence, much of which was blamed on younger members of the population.

In the report, Like stepping stones in the river - youth perspectives on the crisis in Timor-Leste, more than 450 Timorese between the ages of 15 and 25 gave their views.

The report showed the majority of those interviewed believed that the leaders authored the crisis and that most young people did not participate in the violence.

"Youth here feel profoundly let down by their leaders but they're also acknowledging that everyone has to take responsibility now," said UNSW researcher Natalie Grove, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM), who spent six months in Dili working on the project.

"Despite what has happened, young people are optimistic about the future," said Ms Grove. "They want to find ways to work together for peace and they want to ensure they don't inherit a culture of violence and revenge."

The report's research was undertaken by Natalie Grove in partnership with ET Insight (a local research NGO) and Plan Timor-Leste.

For the full report, go to the SPHCM website and click on the link.