Timóteo Avelino Bene

My name is Timóteo Bene, and I am Mozambican. I work as a Research and Policy Officer at the Forum of Mozambican Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAMOD), where I coordinate research initiatives and projects focused on persons with disabilities.

I hold a postgraduate degree in Human Rights from the University of Coimbra in Portugal and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Eduardo Mondlane University. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and spending time with friends. Recently, I have also developed an interest in going to the gym. 

What are your aspirations once you have completed this course?

Upon completing the course, I aim to design and implement projects that address the inequalities faced by persons with disabilities in Mozambique, with a particular focus on girls and women in rural areas. Through this work, I hope to promote greater inclusion, empowerment, and access to opportunities for those who are often most marginalised. 

How do you envision you will apply the learnings from this course to your professional or personal life?

I plan to apply the knowledge gained from this programme in several ways. First, I will use it to train government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations on disability inclusion.

Second, I will apply these learnings in the design and implementation of projects that support persons with disabilities, particularly youth, women, and organisations in rural areas.

Finally, I intend to use the knowledge to strengthen my research on disability.

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

I decided to apply for the Disability Studies, Rights, and Inclusion course at the University of Leeds because of my deep commitment to advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Mozambique.

Through my work with organisations of persons with disabilities, I have witnessed both the challenges and the resilience within this community. These experiences have motivated me to strengthen my capacity to advocate effectively for social change and influence policies that promote equality and inclusion. 

The course at Leeds stood out to me because of its strong academic reputation and its focus on linking theory to practice in the field of disability rights.

By studying at Leeds, I aim to gain the analytical, research, and advocacy skills needed to challenge the status quo in Mozambique and contribute to building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities can fully enjoy their rights and opportunities.