Teresa Cunha, researcher at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, will be awarded by Timor-Leste with the «Order of East Timor». The award will be presented by Taur Matan Ruak, President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, at a public ceremony to be held in Dili on 17 May. This assignment seeks to recognise her contribution in the struggle for self-determination of the Timorese People.

About Teresa Cunha

Teresa Cunha was born in Huambo, Angola and lives in Coimbra, Portugal. She has a PhD in Sociology by the University of Coimbra with a comparative thesis on 'A feminist and post-colonial analysis of East Timorese and Mozambican women's power and authority strategies'. She is working in a post-doctoral project with the following title: Women InPower Women. Democracy, dignity and good-living in Mozambique, South Africa and Brazil. is a senior researcher at the Centre for Social Studies of Coimbra University. She is a professor at the College of Education in Coimbra, senior trainer of the Council of Europe and president of the NGO 'Action for Justice and Peace'.

She has studied Philosophy, Theology, Sciences of Education and Sociology. Her research main interests are: feminism, post-colonialism and Indian ocean, human rights; women and post-conflict; security and memory, feminist economies.

She has published the following books: «Women inPower Women. Outras Economias criadas e lideradas por mulheres do sul não-imperial»; «Ensaios pela Democracia. Justiça, dignidade e bem-viver»; «Never Trust Sindarela. Feminismos, Pós-colonialismos, Moçambique e Timor-Leste; Elas no Sul e no Norte»; «Vozes das Mulheres de Timor»; «Timor-Leste: Crónica da Observação da Coragem»; «Feto Timor Nain Hitu - Sete Mulheres de Timor»; «Andar Por Outros Caminhos»; «Raízes da ParticipAcção». She also published several scientific articles and book chapters in different countries and languages.