pathways, November 2009
The humanitarian work of many Australian Religious inspired Isabel Amaral Guterres in a lifetime's commitment to justice and service, which has led to her being conferred with the Australian Catholic University's highest honour - Doctor of the University (honoris causa).
Born and raised in Vicqueque, in south-east Timor-Leste, Isabel Amaral Guterres was forced to become a refugee in the mid 1980s.
A nurse graduate of the ACU, she returned to her country in 1999. Based in Maliana, she collaborated with local teams to assist in the development of East Timorese nationhood. In 2002, she was appointed as a National Commissioner to the Commission for Reception Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) and in 2006 she was appointed the Secretary General of the Red Cross of Timor-Leste (CVTL), a position which used her professional education, practical experience and commitment to serve the poor.
"The cause of the poor and the suffering became a life-changing mission for Isabel as she dedicated her energies to assist others. She has never wavered from this commitment and has given hope to those with whom she has come into contact," said ACU Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven during the graduation ceremony in, Baucau, Timor-Leste, on October 31.
"Without rancour, Isabel set about listening to the experiences of her fellow citizens," Professor Craven said. "She has played an invaluable role in the rebuilding of individual and national confidence, and the support for the victims of the turmoil."
As a CAVR commissioner, she travelled the newly formed Timor-Leste to hear first-hand the stories and the sufferings people, especially the women, had endured.
This work took her to all districts of Timor-Leste, to Bosnia-Sarajevo, Croatia, Mexico, Italy, Fiji, West Timor-Indonesia and Australia in her efforts to find ways to ensure a practical, Christian response to the people's sense of past injustices and sufferings. Her focus has been on rehabilitation and moving forward rather than a punitive approach.
In accepting the honour, she exhorted the graduating teachers to "solidarity with and dedication to the most vulnerable and needy". She invited them to remember those who had influenced their lives.
"My parents, as I recall, often reminded us, their children, that we are all equals, we have to respect everyone, we have to work so we can have food on our table and that what we have we have to share with those who have very little.
"I remember my boarding school days with the Canossian Sisters, where I learnt discipline.
"During the difficult times before many of you were born, I witnessed the hard work of the priests and nuns and courageous people. When I had to leave my beloved and troubled country and become a refugee, I was given shelter and food and education by the Jesuit Refugee Service in Thailand. I was just a name and a face, but I was treated like one of them and I saw many other refugees sharing the same experience.
"In Australia, I have also witnessed the work of the Mercy Sisters, the Jesuits, the Sisters of Charity and many other religious and lay people. They work with the homeless, refugees, asylum seekers, aborigines, and migrants.
"The dedication given to their work inspired me to bring my own talents to those who struggle for justice and for a decent quality of life.
"Working as a nurse at different types of hospitals - with children, adults, oncology, geriatric, mentally ill and in nursing homes - I have also come to know the beautiful side of the caregivers, parents, relations, friends, doctors, nurses, cleaners, and volunteers.
"I learnt in these contexts the spirit of true humanitarian work. These exposures and experiences have enriched my life."
She told the graduates that her story was different to theirs.
"Every citizen of our country has known suffering of one kind or another.
"Every one of us has also seen the face of God in the kindness and goodness of those who reach out in the face of human suffering.
"I invite you to reflect on your own lives, on the goodness of those who have been guiding you over your years of study, on the wisdom you have learnt in this place.
"I invite you to consider the values you want to bring to your students, remembering also that you have much to learn from the children you will teach. Education is the path to a better quality of life for all. You have a key role in changing the face of our nation."
She acknowledged the presence of Dom Basilio, "whom I honour for the initiative to maintain this cooperation between ACU and the Teachers College" and the work of the Marist Brothers "who support and maintain the Christian values of this college".
Fifty five students graduated from the Catholic Teachers' College in Baucau, where they completed education degrees in collaboration with Australian Catholic University (ACU National).
above: Isabel Guterres with Professor Greg Craven
CITATION as delivered by Professor Greg Craven
