Mr. Ted Folke, the filmmaker of the award winning documentary, “East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection” is working with the Foundation for Post Conflict Development to create a sequel documentary. The working title for the film is “Post Conflict Development in East Timor”. The film will focus on East Timor after its 2002 independence and the challenges of post conflict development. FPCD Executive Director has been named Executive Producer of the Film and the FPCD is currently committed to sponsor the film. The President of East Timor, Xanana Gusmão has also approved of the project and welcomes creation of a new film. Both the Foundation and the filmmaker are currently working together on fundraising for the film. As part of this endeavor the Foundation has submitted a proposal to Starbucks Coffee Company. Starbucks operates a coffee plantation in Ermera District in East Timor and created a health clinic for the workers of the plantation, which illustrates Starbuck’s commitment to post conflict development. See proposal below:

Dear Starbucks Coffee Company,
Thank you for your e-mail dated 6 June 2006, in response to our initial inquiry for collaboration on a documentary film project.

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development and film maker Ted Folke of the Samba Project have joined efforts to create a new documentary as a follow-up to “East Timor: Betrayal and Resurrection” (DVD enclosed) focusing on the challenges East Timor faces in its young post-conflict, post-independence life. The first film on this subject won the prestigious Ricardo Ortega Award in 2004 for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the United Nations Correspondents Association at a gala event at UN Headquarters (other winners that evening were the BBC, The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Hans Blix and Nicole Kidman).

We are acutely aware of Starbucks’ commitment to social responsibility, as evidenced in the relationship that already exists between Starbucks and East Timor; not only is Starbucks the primary exporter of East Timor coffee, but we are both highly impressed with the Ermera district health clinic for the workers of the coffee fields. We are impressed because we know of no other corporation who has gone to such length to assist a community. Starbucks has not only tried to provide good facilities for their workers, but it is also selling East Timor coffee under the Estima Label, which is excellent promotion and branding for East Timor.

One of the big issues for the former United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was how to increase coffee production – organic vs. fertilizer - and a host of ancillary issues pertaining to coffee infrastructure - roads, processing etc.- as well as introducing secondary crops such as vanilla beans. All of this Ted Folke saw first hand as a television producer for UNTAET, and has some material on the "before" story.

We think Starbucks should be lauded for these efforts, since they show corporate responsibility on an international level and we both feel that Starbucks is in fact a role model for corporate responsibility at a grassroots level too.

When the United Nations sent Claudia Abate, to East Timor to help organize the independence ceremonies in 2002, one of UNTAET’s last acts, her task was dedicated to help make the transition from the UN Administration a smooth one. She was not prepared for how much her experiences would alter her; indeed her experience in East Timor inspired her to create the Foundation for Post Conflict Development dedicated to educating the general public about countries like East Timor and assisting them when possible.

Ted Folke was also profoundly moved by his experience within UNTAET and he spent several years making his own independent film about the birth of the newest nation. For many of us in UNTAET, East Timor was a unique opportunity for the UN to get things right. Here was an admittedly poor country that had suffered a great deal, but with a number of major assets which at least created a real potential for success. First, there was a clear political mandate for independence and self-rule. Second, there was unusually capable leadership with two Nobel Peace Prize winners along with Xanana, and a commitment from them to actively work with the international community. Third, the populace seemed to respect their leaders and to espouse their goals. For Ted, these factors alone make East Timor quite unique. In most other nation building and peacekeeping situations, there are a host of unresolved issues that impede any real progress. In East Timor, the slate is relatively clean, and now the real challenge appears to be social and economic - and this is where our film comes in.

The Foundation for Post Conflict Development and Ted Folke would like to explore how one can help build an independent, self-reliant nation from scratch - aside from coffee -and then we get into other potential industries - oil, textiles, tourism, fishing, etc. And while our intentions are to support East Timor, we also feel our responsibility is to be as honest as we can be, and point out real and potential problems and pitfalls as well as success stories. This will not be a UN Blue Sky production!

The current crisis in East Timor raises many questions. Now embarrassing hailed as a “success case” by the United Nations, the international community’s efforts were clearly short sighted. It appears there will soon be yet another UN Mission.

Countries emerging from Conflict situations are more vulnerable than other countries. There are many challenges to protecting Starbuck’s investment in East Timor, while at the same time preserving the culture of the country, and assisting it develop into a nation that can stand on its own.

We have the full support of the leadership in East Timor. Enclosed you will find a letter from His Excellency President Gusmão addressed to Ted Folke, expressing his full support of this new documentary. Enclosed is also a copy of a signed Memorandum of Understanding that exhibits the “sister foundation” relationship between the Foundation for Post Conflict Development and the Fundacão Xanana Gusmão.

We believe that we are at an important point in history and would like to ask for sponsorship from Starbucks Coffee Company of $ 100,000, as a fully tax-deductible donation to complete the film project.

Supporting this documentary will highlight Starbucks’ impressive role in East Timor and allow us to teach others about the special needs of East Timor. We feel that we can join forces to create an important film. We would be honored to include interviews with your leadership and include footage of the Ermera coffee field and health clinic.

Thank you for the opportunity to expand further on our ideas and allowing us to submit this proposal for your review.
Please assist us in helping to protect your investment in East Timor and continue the hopeful journey toward peace and post conflict development in this new nation.

Sincerely yours,

Claudia Abate
Founder and Executive Director
Foundation for Post Conflict Development

Ted Folke
Film Maker and Founder The Samba Project