Re-building Bougainville by Re-building Trust: A Peace Monitor's Experience Case Study

Case Study

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Teacher's Notes

Student Activities

Introduction

A helicopter lands on Torokina school oval, Bougainville Island. Lia Burns and her patrol alight. It is only 7.45 am but the temperature is 34 degrees and the humidity is 85 per cent. Lia checks her schedule before meeting the district manager and visiting the local care centre.

Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, is thickly vegetated and rugged. Most of the 165,000 people travel by foot or small boat, and live by subsistence farming and fishing - harvesting only what they need or can sell or trade with others locally. This may suggest a quiet island paradise, but the people's freedom and quality of life have been considerably affected by events of the past decade. Lia is on Bougainville as part of a peace monitoring group.

Background to the Conflict

Copper mining began on Bougainville in the mid-1960s. A new town and port were constructed bringing workers from around the world. Life began to change and, by the mid-1980s, some Bougainvilleans were claiming that their lifestyles and environment were at risk. Others wanted a greater share of profits. Different groups began calling for change and, when nothing happened, violence grew between them and mining and government officials. Civil war spread. Much of Bougainville's infrastructure - health, water, sanitation, education, transport and communication - was destroyed. Sick and wounded people could not be treated. A generation of children missed school. Homes were ruined and many villagers had to move to government care centres. People were displaced and traditional hierarchies and disciplinary measures were broken. Transport and communications were cut and the majority of villagers lived in isolation and fear. Such problems and a lack of food and medical supplies across the island, and in the care centres, meant great hardship. Many people lost trust in each other.

The peace monitoring group waiting to depart for Torokina.

Rebuilding Trust

Torokina and many other communities needed rebuilding. Since then, much has been done through the co-operation of villagers, non-government organisations, churches, businesses and international aid organisations. Yet, re-building people's trust has been as important as supplying materials and equipment. Indeed, few rehabilitation programs in any world region of conflict can begin, or succeed, without communication and trust.

As peace monitors, Lia and colleagues distribute newsletters and posters outlining the many benefits for all groups of 'peace'. The local people suggest the dates, times, venues and discussion points for 'peace meetings'. If invited to attend and contribute to them, a peace monitor reports on the political activities elsewhere on the island. At other times, they sit quietly in the meetings as an observer. In such conditions, and as meetings are sometimes called on the spot, peace monitors need to be patient and flexible. They learn about the community, for example, who the leaders are, and what the food and medical needs are. They agree to pass on messages. They might help solve a problem, but they do not take sides. They understand that more people will want to be part of the peace process - and it will be more likely to work - if the people feel they own the process and are benefiting from it. A good example of this is where ex-combatants are now peace-makers.

Lia with Dominic and Gwyneth in Ututara Village, Bana District.

Lia's Diary

Lia was inspired by the Torokina people's efforts to help themselves. Entries in her diary illustrate several aspects of her experience.

Day 1

On the first day, Lia meets a man patiently carving a canoe from a tree trunk. His work is typical of how the people are getting on with their lives now that peace is more likely to last. The canoe will take one week to make then the man will catch fish for his family and to sell in the shop. One day, he may be able to start a small business.

Day 2

On the second day, Lia conducts a peace awareness meeting with a group of men. There are no firm decisions from the meeting, but Lia is not concerned. At least the men have met in peace - an important first step. They have, however, raised concerns about health such as malaria. Due to the lack of communications, Lia agrees to tell the district manager that a visit from the district nurse is needed.

Day 3

On the third day, Lia meets with a group of women. Women have played major roles in calling for the laying down of guns and the resumption of normal life. Their commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the continuation of the peace process sees them walking great distances to attend peace-related meetings. Their confidence and trust is being renewed which helps their children look forward to a brighter future.

After this final meeting, Lia and her patrol walk seven kilometres into the jungle to observe the wreckage of a Corsair plane from World War Two. They think about an earlier time when the people of Bougainville assisted Australians during World War Two.

Torokina at sunset - a glimpse of island paradise.

Day 4

On the fourth day, Lia shares what she has learned with the district manager and thanks him for his hospitality. As on other days, she and her patrol bathe at the local beach and watch the Mount Bagana volcano throw up its daily fire and smoke. They return to the oval for the helicopter ride back to Konga base. They listen to the local women's choir practising in the nearby school and hope that the women's efforts will mean their joyous singing continues well into the future.