Compass returns to ABC later this month.
In the first episode Indira Naidoo travels to the place she reported on for many years but never visited, Timor Leste, road-tripping with President Ramos-Horta as her guide.
Join journalist Indira Naidoo on an extraordinary journey to Timor Leste, her guide is none other than President Jose Ramos-Horta – key architect of this independent nation, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and old friend of Indira from her days as a young journalist covering the conflict in the 1990’s. But until now she has never visited this fledgling nation.
On this road trip through the vibrant landscape of Timor Leste Indira finds out how far this nation has come since independence and how far they still must go. When Ramos-Horta takes Indira to the streets of Dili, he cuts an eccentric figure in his Moke and when he stops people rush to say hello. He truly is a man of the people.
Indira’s conversations with Ramos-Horta on the road give us rare insight into the visionary leader’s personal experiences and the sacrifices that shaped the destiny of a nation. He takes her to the Presidential Palace to see how he is personally tackling childhood malnutrition and shows her the filming of his weekly TV chat show, The President Horta Show. Beyond Dili Ramos-Horta takes Indira on an aid delivery mission into the breath-taking mountains of interior Timor Leste.
This is one of the poorest nations on Earth with 40% living below the poverty line. Indira learns that basic needs such as housing, clean water and enough food are still out of reach for many. However, the people of Timor have an unshakeable faith – 98% are Catholic, but many, especially in the rural regions, also practice animism along with their Catholicism. Indira is given a rare opportunity to witness some animist sacred rituals in the hills of the Ermera district. Timor Leste has a young population – the average age is only 21. Indira finds that despite Timor Leste’s challenges the young people of Timor Leste love their country. But they are worried that the country’s reliance on depleting oil and gas funds and its ageing leaders like President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao from Generation ‘75 may leave them at risk in the future. After 22 years of independence this documentary sheds light on the soul of a nation that has overcome adversity but still has a long way to go.
Through President Ramos-Horta’s unique access, Indira connects with the people of Timor Leste, exploring how their past has shaped their present and what the future holds for this emerging nation. A visually stunning and emotionally resonant program, offering an intimate portrayal of a nation’s struggle, resilience, and the hope that drives them forward.
6:30pm Sunday 18 August on ABC.
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