How do you grow an educational tourism sector safely in a country where tourism itself is still emerging and where formal safety legislation is limited? In this one-hour session, Anas Madeira from Timor Unearthed will share insights from Timor-Leste’s journey in building meaningful, safe, and sustainable school immersion programs.

The presentation will explore:

Risk Management in Context – how to apply international standards of risk management in a local setting, ensuring school programs meet the expectations of school partners and global best practice.

Community Buy-In – the practical steps to help local communities not only understand risk management, but also embrace it as part of providing safe and enriching experiences for visiting students.

Building Capacity – strategies for training local guides, homestay hosts, and small businesses to deliver programs confidently, creating a resilient and risk-aware workforce.

Shared Responsibility – reframing risk management as more than compliance; encouraging suppliers and community connections to see their role in student safety.

Balancing Safety and Authenticity – creating opportunities for genuine cultural immersion while managing the challenges of infrastructure, remote travel, and limited regulatory frameworks.

This session will encourage outdoor educators, school leaders, and program directors to think differently about risk management—seeing it as a collaborative culture of care that empowers local communities, strengthens partnerships, and ensures the sustainable growth of educational tourism in emerging destinations.