Mericio Juvinal Dos Reis, or familiarly known as Mericio Akara, is the Deputy President of Alternative Futures–Institute of Politics and International Affairs (IPIA), a prominent think tank in Timor-Leste.

With a rich background as the former State Secretary for Social Communication (2018-23) and former member of Timor Leste Parliament (2017–2018) he has played a pivotal role in shaping public policy and discourse in the region. Currently pursuing his Master’s degree at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, he comes from an activist background, working with International Rescue Committee & World Vision International (2000-02), as a Researcher at Lao Hamutuk Institute (2002–05), Vice-President of Timor-Leste Red Cross (2014–18), President of National Consultative Council of Petroleum Fund (2013–16), Board Member of Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative/EITI-Oslo Norway (2011–13),  and Director at Luta Hamutuk Institute (2005–16). He can be reached here.