PEACEBUILDERSINTERNATIONAL ANNUALREPORT08

Transcription

1 PEACEBUILDERSINTERNATIONAL ANNUALREPORT08

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3 PEACEBUILDERSINTERNATIONAL TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Objectives of Peacebuilders International 4 Effectiveness of Peacebuilders International 5 Peacebuilders Engages in... 6 President s Report 8 CEO's Report 12 International Course Report 18 Aggregate Enrolments 19 Makassar Report National Peacebuilding & Trauma Healing Conference 22 Downstream News 22 Downstream in Solomon Island - Ishmael Idu 23 Downstream in Indonesia 23 Julius Amping, Makassar 23 Onya Ely, Ambon 25 Downstream in Timor Leste 25 Augusto Soares 26 Downstream in Bougainville Autonomous Region 26 Downstream in Bali 27 Yudhis Muhammad Burhanuddin Obituary 28 Future Directions 29 Finance Report 31 Detailed Statement of Income and Expenditure 32 Stakeholders 33 Directors and Officers

4 PEACEBUILDERSINTERNATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF PEACEBUILDERS 1. To stimulate and support initiatives in peace building within the Asia /Pacific region. 2. To train leaders from the Asia/ Pacific region in theory and practice of conflict transformation, peace building and community development. 3. To induce a multiplier effect on the training provided, by encouraging trained leaders to become trainers of others, in-country. 4. Through its affiliated churches and bodies (stakeholders) to establish and support working groups in the countries of the Asia/ Pacific region that will develop and implement their peacebuilding initiatives. 5. To solicit and receive voluntary contributions throughout the world and transmit such funds and any income therefrom throughout the Asia / Pacific region for the purposes of relieving the effects of conflict and the establishment of sustainable development leading to durable stability. The fund is open to contributions from any member of the public. 6. To co-operate with local overseas institutions in this work. 7. To issue appeals for and raise money in any way deemed fit by the board of Peacebuilders International and to expend that money to carry out the objects of the company. 8. To award scholarships or any prizes to people or organisations in the Asia/ Pacific region, for the purpose of advancing the organisation that focuses on the generation of Aid, provision of Relief, and stimulation of Development. 9. To partner with organisations which are committed to the building of a just peace, through education, conflict transformation and leadership. 10. To appraise, implement and monitor all stages of the initiative/ project cycle, that is: planning / design phase, implementation phase, and monitoring and review phase. EFFECTIVENESS OF PEACEBUILDERS Why is Peacebuilders International so effective? Peacebuilders International is highly effective because: It works to create sustainable, lasting peace. It offers a holistic, integrated approach to peacebuilding. It trains national leaders to make a difference in their context. It addresses the past while creating new futures. It consults closely with its network of partners. It encourages networking within and across nations. It recognises identity and power as key ingredients in conflicts. It uses theological models that are robust and academically rigorous. It values reconciliation and forgiveness. It anticipates that inspiration, imagination, prayer and creative moments will create breakthroughs. Its goal is building justpeace: peace that is sustainable and lasting. 4

5 PEACEBUILDERS ENGAGES IN FEEDBACK & REFLECTION DOWNSTREAM MONITORING CONSULTATION & RESEARCH CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL INTENSIVE TRAINING PEACEBUILDING INITIATIVES Fundamentals of Peacebuilding * Principles & Practice for Non-Violent Relations * Gender and Peacebuilding Community Based Trauma Healing * Community Based Restorative Justice * Poverty Reduction and the Peacebuilding Process * Win-Win Conflict Transformation in a Corporate Setting * Sustaining Peacebuilders Reconciliation Processes in Cultures of the Pacific * From Despair to Hope: Protecting and Empowering Refugees Religion as a Resource for Peace * Forgiveness at a National Level * Developing Peacebuilding Initiatives Christian Theology of Reconciliation and Justpeace * Working with Victims and Perpetrators of Violence Transforming Politics for Peace * Working with Traumatised Children and Damaged Family Systems Trauma Counselling and Healing * Appreciative Inquiry as a Means of Building Futures CREATION ADDRESSING THE PAST CREATING THE FUTURE SURVIVAL RE-STORY PUBLIC TRUTH TELLING SYSTEM ROOT CAUSES VISION RENEGOTIATE IDENTITY SUB-SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION RELATIONSHIPS COLLECTIVE HEALING RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ISSUES CRISIS INTERVENTION CONFLICT PREVENTION TIME TIME RECENT EVENTS LIVED HISTORY REMEMBERED HISTORY META NARRATIVE DESIRED FUTURE SOCIAL CHANGE PREPARATION & TRAINING IMMEDIATE RESPONSE Lederach, Stehbens HOLISTIC, INTEGRATED MODEL OF PEACEBUILDING 5

6 PRESIDENT S REPORT This report comes at a time when wars and conflict continue to maim and kill thousands, mostly noncombatants, around the world. Every conflict adds to the millions of refugees and, of all those who suffer terribly, many are women and children. Clearly the world has learned nothing in thousands of years of military intervention in human affairs. How true it is that Each war sows the seeds for the next war. The work of Peacebuilders International (PBI) has touched, again, the lives of people in communities of conflict in our region and beyond, in the last twelve months. At the course in Sydney in October and November 2008 we had delegates from Africa for the first time and they added a unique and valuable dimension to the course. The visit of our CEO, Ian Stehbens, to a number of different communities during 2008 showed how many opportunities exist where our experience and training could help mend broken lives. But, we have also reached a crossroads in our work and, it may be, that a whole new direction will become clear as we seek to follow God s leading into the future. A significant conference was held in Makassar in eastern Indonesia in August A detailed and very interesting report of the conference has been prepared by Rev Ashley Saunders and is available. Following are some extracts from that report and comments by myself: The Australian faculty comprised Ian Stehbens, Ashley Saunders and John Steward. There was a bigger local component in the two weeks programme than is usual, but this showed that the local leadership is ready to take responsibility for its own future. The first day of the programme was a National Conference in Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing and it was attended by 200 leaders of religious communities and opened and closed by local political leaders. The remainder of the programme involved Studies in Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing and was attended by theological students from STT INTIM and the local Catholic Seminary. Meetings with local identities in this part of Indonesia were also arranged and proved fruitful. It may be that these kinds of programs are the way of the future for PBI? The October/ November course again proved to be an opportunity for the work of God s Holy Spirit, in community-building and healing, to take place amongst delegates and faculty. For example, healing flowed from the testimony of two PNG women, who run counselling services in PNG and Bougainville, and who challenged male delegates about the abuse of women and children by men in every community. Also, the testimony of Peres Amping, a young man from eastern Indonesia, who spoke at the Graduation of his anger and trauma, made a powerful impact on all of us. He grew up in an area of great conflict between Muslims and Christians and testified to the working of God s Spirit in his life during the course. He committed himself as a peace builder to work for reconciliation in Indonesia on his return. 6

7 The 2008 course in Sydney included delegates from Timor Leste, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, Kirabati, Solomon Islands and Sri Lanka. A feature of the 2008 course was an instructive morning spent with Imam Mahammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye from Nigeria. They were mortal enemies leading opposing armed militias in the ethnic and religious conflicts that rocked Nigeria in the 1990s. Thousands were killed and whole communities devastated. Now the two men are co-directors of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre in their city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria, facilitating task-forces to resolve conflict across the country. The delegates and faculty also joined 600 other people to view a DVD on their story in the Blacktown town hall. This year (2008) I taught Unit 6A, Forgiveness at a National Level, which is usually taken by Manassa Lasaro from Fiji, but the political problems associated with the military government in Fiji meant he was unable to come to Sydney this year. I also taught in the Unit 4B, Religion as a Resource for Peace from a Christian perspective, with Ian Stehbens. Working with us we had Makiz Ansari and Letif Karapinar teaching about Islam and Tensin Namdag on Buddhism. So delegates were exposed to resources from three of the world s major religions and learned that in every religion there are resources upon which peace rather than conflict can be built. I was present at the Graduation ceremony this year, for the first time. The ceremony featured wonderful singing, heartfelt testimony, guest speaker, Augusto Ferreira Soares from Timor Leste, traditional Kiribati dancing and the presentation of Honorary Life Memberships to foundation member, Bruce Kemp, and headmaster of The Kings School, Dr Timothy Hawkes. The most significant event, however, for the future of PBI was the retirement in 2009 of Ian Stehbens as principal of Alan Walker College. Rev Martin Levine has been appointed as the new principal and has published a very full programme of courses for The College will conduct a peace course in 2009, shorter than the course PBI has run over the last six years. This leaves open the question of whether a parallel PBI course is needed and where it might be held in the future. This is a matter for the members and directors to decide. In the meantime the business address for Peacebuilders International will be PO Box 256, Berowra NSW We are grateful to Conrad and Renee Smith for the use of their P.O. address for this purpose. It appears that may be possible in the future to have a membership group established in Brisbane as well as continuing the Sydney group. Again this is a matter for decision by the members and directors. Rev John Woodley President 7

8 8 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER S REPORT Peacebuilding has been described as soft engineering. Peacebuilding builds the system that allows the bridge to be built or the water system installed, and provides the social environment in which the physical infrastructure remains intact and is used for just and peaceful goals. Without peacebuilding the houses are appropriated by the militia or army (post-tsunami Sri Lanka), water system sabotaged (Honiara), bridges destroyed (Bougainville), formal education ceases for years (Bougainville), the economy collapses (Bali, Solomon Islands). 1. Training of national leaders is one of our most strategic contributions to the building of sustainable peace. It has been important to train leaders from all levels of the societies. Every year, some nationallevel leaders have been trained by Peacebuilders International and this year was no exception. Grassroots leaders were once again included in the population of trainees, and several of them have been remarkably effective and influential on their return. Arguably the most strategic leaders in the peacebuilding arena are those who may be described as middle-level networkers. They are highly strategic, have great potential for changing society, and have wide influence, often with connections across the divides that have emerged during the conflict. On top of this they are well connected vertically, knowing both toplevel leaders as well as many grass-roots leaders. These strategic leaders comprised around 60% of those we trained this year. 2. Training Trainers. While our prime training task is to train peacebuilders and to spawn appropriate initiatives in peacebuilding, our training is structured, experiential and presented such that those who have a capacity for training others are equipped to do so. In fact, the training of others is always one of the real and intended outcomes from our training. Through our training of key leaders, we are then invited and able to work with our trained people in-country to train others. In this way, a new government ministry for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (for example) was able to see the holistic model and then understand the jig-saw puzzle of the diversity of peacebuilding initiatives that were emerging in their country. Thus the Department for NUR&P was enabled to assess and co-ordination peacebuilding throughout the country. This then allowed NGOs, churches, government and private sectors to work to a Road Map for Peace and to frame a Road Map for Economic Recovery. In the Solomon Islands, the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry asserts that the work of PBI has allowed this, absolutely! Her view is echoed by the PS for Peace and Reconciliation. It is on this basis that Peacebuilders International was invited this year, to sponsor and contribute leadership and expertise to a national seminar in Makassar, Indonesia and workshops of Trauma Healing and Peacebuilding in Makassar following the national seminar. 3. Strengthening Local Capacities for building peace. Our peacebuilders are well aware of the need to work with the local church and local government authorities. They continue to create appropriate organisations at community level as they are able. During the visit to Weather Coast of Guadalcanal by the CEO, he witnessed the work of one trainee who has now directly initiated 38 Peace and Good Order Committees, all locally run and all taking serious responsibility to ensure accountability for violent offences including arson, deaths and militia offensives. In the Milne Bay Province of PNG, our trainees have now achieved recognition and funding of their initiative, MB Counselling Service, from AusAID. In every field, the story is the same: national leaders trained and implementing fruitful peacebuilding through local organizations or through newly formed organizations that have been established to build sustainable peace. 4. Our peacebuilders work at all levels. Some work at national level with national government and church leaders. Others work at a provincial level, while others work at the local community level. A 2008 trainee has recently been appointed Coordinator for Reconciliation in the Malaita Provincial Government. Other trainees operating at national or provincial levels have been appointed as a direct consequence of their peacebuilding training, e.g. Provincial Chief Administrator (Bougainville); Regional Weapons Disposal Program. 5. Enabling Community Development NGOs to be more effective. A major Development NGO is being remarkably effective in peacebuilding in Timor Leste and in Solomon Islands, because in both

9 cases their peacebuilding work is in the hands of our trainees. The peacebuilder employed in Solomon Islands by World Vision, Mr Ishmael Idu, was formed and developed as a peacebuilder by Peacebuilders International, and recommended to World Vision Solomon Islands by us. He was appointed to his project position with a remarkable record of proactive and effective peacebuilding that was attributable to his courage, our training, our funding and our strategic support. After one year in his position, he was brought to Peacebuilders International training in Sydney for further development and training, and he returned to continue his special work, with new insights that flowed into inter-provincial reconciliation, and the transforming of enemy perceptions held by the population of the remote Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. 6. Widening Our Influence. In 2008, World Vision s head of peacebuilding in South and East Asia as well as their Peacebuilding Coordinator for Sri Lanka attended our Sydney based training, so we anticipate outcomes at national levels through these people also. African Enterprise selected national leaders to send to us in 2008 from Malawi, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in anticipation of reconciliation programs and strategies being developed in these countries. The Catholic Diocese of Timor Leste released the Director of Justice and Peace Commission, Timor Leste and a staff member for training by us in All these examples indicate that our modus operandi produces initiatives and networks that are sustainable in the long term because of the critical partnerships, networks we have built while producing very relevant and critically needed training, for national leaders. 7. Initiating Inter-religious Summits, Dialogue and Cooperation. In Sulawesi, PBI graduates have convened summits and conducted training on return home. Just the notion of a summit of Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu is astounding enough, but what this does is creates not only the possibility but the on-going desire for government and religious leaders to continue to dialogue and work collaboratively. During the course of such summits we have heard the following: Never before have I seen this! [Mayor of Makassar] or We were suspicious of this program at first, but we have monitored it closely, and we want you to know you have the full endorsement of the government of RI. We need to see PBI Leaders in Indonesia every few months. [Secretary to the Vice-President of Indonesia] or I never expected that this was possible, that Muslims, Christians, Catholics and Hindus could live together in the one hotel for 2 weeks. But the miracle has happened and I apologise for not being fully committed to this at the beginning. I now see how small my mind can be. [Director of Spiritual Formation, Bali Christian Church] 8. Inducing Curriculum changes for long-term transformation. Curricula in peacebuilding, nonviolence and reconciliation are being developed and introduced in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu,. Bali ID, Makassar ID, Australia and Tonga. Such curricula are the direct result of our trainees experiencing a conversion in their thinking while attending one of our training programs. Seeing the need for transforming identities and the ways of thinking and responding to conflict in their contexts, the delegates who are leaders in education, church or state, resolve to bring about curricular change. Such a process began during the 2003 program for Vanuatu, and has continued to emerge in other nations since. Significant educational developments are currently underway in Bali. By having a non-violence 9

10 policy established for parenting and marriage in a Tongan tertiary institution through the work of our delegates after training is another indicator that Peacebuilders International is initiating permanent change and cultural transformation. In the PNG instance one of our graduates from 2006, returned for widened training in 2008 and to contribute as a co-faculty in one of the modules. He brought with him his curriculum that he has developed and begun implementing at Balob Teachers College as a first stage in addressing the high levels of violence in schools, families and community in urban PNG. His syllabus has now been endorsed by the Law Society in PNG. His further training in the recent 2008 course has enabled him to widen his application of peacebuilding in the curriculum. 9. A Network of Peacebuilders is being built. The strong faculty team comprises a formidable and competent team of peacebuilders, yet as each group of leaders is trained the majority return home and implement specific initiatives in peacebuilding and so develop and prove their competence as peacebuilders. Through the relationships that are built during the 7-week program of training, strong network links are formed for they are undergirded by personal relationship, knowledge of specific interests and capacities and by trust. 10. Ensuring that both Genders are involved in Peacebuilding. It is imperative that women as well as men are trained and engaged in active peacebuilding. To this we are committed, for a whole raft of strategic reasons. However, it is more difficult to be able to bring women from conflict zones to Sydney for an extended period. Women s access to funding is one issue, and therefore we have preferred to direct TEAR funds towards enabling women leaders to attend. But even given the funds, it is still difficult because of their enmeshed family commitments and the male structures within national governments and church. Further more as there are few women that are prominent in leadership at any level, they are often over-committed and seen as indispensible, and therefore unable to come. The relatively small number of women that do make it to the Sydney program contribute in highly significant ways in the program of training, which is of great benefit to the male participants. It was obvious this year again, that the proportion of female participants in peacebuilding training is far greater when the training is conducted more locally. This was clear in Melanesia (2005) as well as in Indonesia (2006, 2008) and Timor Leste (2007, 2008). 11. Transforming Enemy Perceptions in Grassroots Communities. It was exciting for me to be called to Solomon Islands by one the peacebuilders PBI has developed, to assist him in the conduct of a strategic program whereby enemy communities were brought together 1. to share in the giving and receiving of hospitality, 2. to reconcile using cultural and religious resources, 3. to dream and plan together ways of deepening and spreading the reconciliation, 4. so that there could be a transformation of enemy perceptions. 10

11 Through his years of peacebuilding that began with the successful transforming of hotspot areas in his own Malaitan culture, he then took a similar program to enemy Guadalcanal hotspots at a time when no one else would cross the line of bunkers or the demarcation of enemy boundaries. So amazingly fruitful was this, that he was employed as a peacebuilder to work in enemy areas. In 2 years he has established 36 Peace and Good Order Committees in Guadalcanal. But through his time at Peacebuilders International program in 2007, having the opportunity to reflect and to be mentored, he came to realise that while the two cultures lived apart, real transformation of enemy perceptions would never occur, and they would be passed from generation to generation. He resolved then to invite a delegation of 50 Malaitans from the former hotspots where he previously had worked to visit the remote Weather Coast of Guadalcanal. The results of this were immediately observable. This was not an on-the-surface reconciliation. I saw the women who wept in the dark night as they lay in an enemy village, their flashbacks of their traumatisation shuddering them with fear. I saw their enemies come with lights and hold them in their arms comforting and stroking away the fear. I saw their joy and tears of forgiveness and reconciliation. And I saw them heading off to visit other villages taking their forgiveness with them. 12. Facilitating and Sponsoring International and Regional Courses of Training. This year, again, our training was offered at both international and regional levels. The international program was a 7-week program offered in Sydney and drew 44 delegates from Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. The regional program was offered in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia in association with the Theological Seminary of Eastern Indonesia. 13. Partnering is one of the keys to the fruitfulness of Peacebuilders International As indicated earlier in this report, the peacebuilders we train are already leaders before they come, and as such are established in organizations to which they return after their period of training. This provides opportunity for them to immediately implement their initiatives and at the same time strengthens our relationship with the organization from which they come. Many of these partners are national churches, some NGOs and in the case of the Solomon Islands, the government department responsible for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation is a partner. Because we are focussed on peacebuilding it follows that these many partners are located in conflict areas and therefore have very little in the way of financial resources with which to access our training, to implement peacebuilding initiatives, or to provide their own training. In the case of the Makassar conference, there was almost total reliance on funds that PBI was able to provide to conduct both the National Conference and the training workshops in the ensuing fortnight. Their anticipation of local funds was not fulfilled and as our funds were limited to that which we agreed (and the exchange rate was most favourable at the time) there had to be curtailment of the program. This was significant culturally, for as no lunches could be provided for the delegates in the second week, the program had to conclude by lunch time each day. This meant that Muslim delegates were not able to be invited during that week. Through partnerships so much more is achieved, for partners provide not only local infrastructure but also are effective in their cultural and social context. But it does become imperative that PBI needs to draw on the resources of other partners in order to fund projects and support the initiatives that we are generating in-country in-partnership with local organizations. In this financial year, the contributions of African Enterprise to bring delegates, Uniting World to support delegates, and sponsorship by TEAR Australia and by National Council of Churches Christian World Service (now Act for Peace) is gratefully acknowledged. Sustainability depends very much on our capacity to attract funding support, for the partnerships with in-country bodies is relatively easy to sustain due to the quality and results of our training. Rev Ian Stehbens Chief Executive Officer 11

12 INTERNATIONAL PEACE COURSE REPORT New ground was broken again during the 2008 peacebuilding course. Our first African delegates attended the course this year. Five came from East Africa and are connected with African Enterprise. One came from Nigeria after he found out about the course when in Sydney for World Youth Day. Through their character and leadership, the African delegates had a positive impact upon the entire program. In the past, other nationalities have dominated some of the others. Under the influence of the Africans, this did not happen this year, allowing the more gentle people the opportunity to express themselves more openly. The leadership of African Enterprise was planning a major Pan-African reconciliation program in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. However, the 2008 African Enterprise delegates believe further training in peacebuilding needs to take place in country. They want to see more people coming to Australia in order to participate in the peacebuilding course before any major program in Africa is attempted. As a result of the important involvement during this course of the delegates from African Enterprise and the wonderful contribution made by Rev Mary and Rev Mark Hurst of the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand, Peacebuilders International needs to invite African Enterprise and the Mennonites to become partners with us by becoming stakeholders in Peacebuilders International. We give thanks to God for the ways in which He showed that His hand is on the program. When it became clear that there would be too many delegates to be accommodated at Alan Walker College, it proved very difficult to find additional accommodation at a price we could afford. At the last minute, Shalom Lodge, a motel in Harris Park was made available to provide the extra accommodation required; In the past, the Rockdale Uniting Church bus has been needed to transport delegates during the course. This year, repairs to the bus meant it was not available at the commencement of the coursed. However, the bus was repaired and became available for 5 weeks which was greatly appreciated; Archbishop Douglas Young was unavailable to teach the module on Reconciliation Processes in Cultures of the Pacific as he was called to meetings in Rome. Prof Garry Trompf, an expert in this subject and Archbishop Young s academic supervisor, made himself available to help lead this course. The execution of the Bali Bombers took place during the module, Forgiveness at a National Level. This proved to be a challenge to delegates from Indonesia. The timing gave these delegates the opportunity to deal with their reactions to the executions and to process these in a positive way. Two of these students are planning peacebuilding courses for Bali and the other gained insights into how to conduct mutually beneficial inter-faith dialogues for tertiary students. Two new modules were introduced this year. These were Community-based Trauma Healing in Session 3 and Sustaining Peacebuilders in Session 7. Community-based Trauma Healing is an essential part of the course and had a significant impact upon participants personally as well as training them to work in trauma contexts. It was well led by Mary Hurst fresh from her involvement in a similar program in the US, a program that was developed in response to the 9/11 horror. The module, Sustaining Peacebuilders was highly successful in providing necessary resources to those who are experienced peacebuilders and was highly valued by participants. To have experienced peacebuilders returning or enrolling for the first time indicates a further maturing of our training role. Changes were made to the module, Reconciliation Processes in Cultures of the Pacific by widening the topic to include traditional reconciliation processes from areas outside the Pacific. 12

13 This is necessary now that we have delegates from Africa as well as Asia and the Pacific. It was taught as Reconciliation Processes in Traditional Cultures. More delegates from the Catholic Church than ever before attended this year. They came from Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville. While they did not directly represent any of our stakeholders, the presence of Catholic organisations among our stakeholders is obviously giving the course credibility within the Catholic Church. To have participants from different strands of Christianity is enriching for the delegates and empowering of their reconciliation ministries and peacebuilding. We believe that this course is vital and strategic for all societies caught in conflict. There could be a wider involvement of leaders from Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Indonesia. Delegates were unable to come from the conflict areas of Poso, Ambon and Halmahera in Indonesia because of lack of funds and scholarships, but the need and the desire is there. While there have been a small number of delegates who identified as Muslims in previous years, this year there were none. The course would be enhanced by their involvement, and they would benefit wonderfully, for that is the experience of previous years. We also believe the course would be valuable to NGOs working with refugees in Australia, and so we hope to invite and activate relationships with such bodies. An analysis of the 2008 delegates shows that four of them are returning to either complete the course or to access the theoretical frameworks and to reflect on their practice as peacebuilders, having been active in the field since some earlier training through PBI. These peacebuilders included: Pastor Sere Muhuyu (Chaplain at Balob Teachers College, Lae), who had developed curricula for teacher education and primary education in PNG with the endorsement of the Law Society of PNG, since he attended PBI Augusto Soares (Coordinator for Youth and Peacebuilding, World Vision Timor Leste) who trained at PBI 2007 and returned to Timor Leste to create well organized Peace Clubs in hot spots in Dili, which were expanded to involve over 8000 young people in a matter of 6 months in Dili and 2 other centres in Timor Leste. Ana-Latu Dickson (Co-coordinator, Milne Bay Counselling Service, Alotau, PNG) who together with other trainees from Alan Walker College programs in Counselling has developed a provincial wide service with approximately 120 trained counsellors in many villages. There special program focus is on confronting and transforming a culture of endemic domestic violence and ensuing youth violence. and Jekesoni Cakobau from Fiji whose special focus has been on young males in urban areas of Fiji. Others who can be classified as 2nd generation delegates, for they are the off-spring of peacebuilders who were formed by PBI in previous years.. They included Lisa Hamel, Stephanus Tema, Lekima Gonerau, Akariva Ravula, I Made Darmayasa, Hazael Ania, Matthew Maima, Rose Pihei and Jobson Misang. Others came because our previously trained peacebuilders had brought about transformation of conflict areas in Solomon Islands and they saw a need to emulate our trained people so that they could also contribute to building sustainable peace. Silas Baka who negotiated the surrender of warlord Harold Keke came on these terms as did Simon Valusa. 13

14 So that delegates are able to develop peacebuilding initiatives during Session 7, it is necessary for them to complete Session 1, Fundamentals of Peacebuilding. However, once more some delegates arrived late, mainly because of visa difficulties. This required catch-up sessions on the fundamentals of peacebuilding to be provided during session 5. As a distance education Masters Course was not on offer this year, there was a clear shift in reading patterns, from using the library to greater purchasing of applicable books. There were also many more delegates who arrived with their laptop computers this year, and therefore there was many hours spent by delegates processing their notes each night so that their learning was maximised in this way. While the facilities and available staff at Alan Walker College are greatly appreciated, they were stretched and were not able to meet the needs of the course. There were insufficient beds, the dietary needs of so many different cultures were not fully satisfied, bathroom cleaning was not able to be done as frequently as desired, and appropriate provision for catering could not be made for some weekends. We are grateful for the facilities provided by The King s School. The Leadership Centre was available for Session 1, and for each Monday morning of all 6 other sessions. The Cricket Pavilion was utilised for our classes for 6 weeks. Lunches were provided to our delegates for 6 weeks (approximately 27 days x 25 delegates). But due appreciation for the generosity of the Headmaster and the school must be given for in addition to providing course facilities, the Headmaster, Dr Timothy Hawkes also hosts a fine Welcome Dinner by which the delegates are honoured. Our delegates also are introduced to the School in assembly and a significant but small presentation of story and experience is made by the peacebuilding delegates. Seventeen of our delegates attended pastoral care sessions on Friday mornings for 4 weeks, meeting with Kingsmen and conversing on their nations and ministries. FACULTY Our delegates were taught and led by a group of highly qualified people once more. There were last minute changes to faculty because some faculty members were unable to come as planned Faculty by Elective Fundamentals of Peacebuilding Principles & Practices for Non-Violent Relations Gender in Peacebuilding Community-Based Trauma Healing Win-Win Conflict Transformation Religion as a Resource for Peace Protecting & Empowering Refugees & IDPs Reconciliation Processes in Traditional Cultures Forgiveness at a National Level Christian Theology of Reconciliation & Justpeace Developing Peacebuilding Initiatives Sustaining Peacebuilders Ian Stehbens and Sere Muhuyu John Dacey and Allison Gentle Margaret Stehbens and Rose Pihei Mary Hurst and Mark Hurst Gordon Jackson and Jonar Nader Ian Stehbens (Leader) with specified contributions from John Woodley (Christianity), Makiz Ansari and Letif Karapinar (Islam) and Tensin Namdag (Buddhism) Geoffrey Mangwi Mugi, Garry Trompf, Ian Stehbens and Robert Hincks John Woodley with Muhammad Ashafa and James Wuye as guests from Nigeria Jovili Meo and Lisa Meo with Muhammad Ashafa and James Wuye Sue Armstrong, David Riethmuller and Robert Hincks Mark Hurst, Sally Longley, Mary Hurst 14

15 The faculty and their guests encouraged, informed and challenged the delegates to re-evaluate their own cultural practices and beliefs. When John Woodley asked, What is forgiveness? during the session on Forgiveness at a National Level, there was not only vigorous debate, but an overflow of emotions as delegates related what was being said to their experiences. One of the delegates affected in this is from Indonesia. The discussion took place on the day that the Bali Bombers were executed. While the debate on forgiveness was being conducted in the class, he knew that troops were protecting churches in Indonesia in case of retaliation for the executions. His father is a prime candidate for assassination. This man spoke during the graduation, testifying to the transforming work of God s Spirit during the course and his commitment to be a peacebuilder. During Session 6, when the modules being taught were Forgiveness at a National Level and Christian Theology of Reconciliation and Justpeace, the delegates met with Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye from Nigeria, who were formerly were mortal enemies. Their story has been documented in the film The Pastor and the Imam. During the 1990 s, these men led opposing militias when thousands were killed and whole communities devastated. They now lead the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria. Their presence and teaching had a considerable impact on all delegates, demonstrating what is possible. PARTICIPANTS There were 44 delegates from Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Malawi, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste and Uganda. There were over 120 enrolments received from people wishing to come to the course in 2008 and it is unfortunate that so many missed out, either because of lack of money or the inability to receive a visa. It certainly can be demonstrated that the significant breakthroughs in peacebuilding come as a result of the appearance of the moral imagination. There is a strong association therefore between faith, belief systems, identity, values and morality. These elements must be given high priority for they are of prime importance in peacebuilding if sustainable peace is to be achieved for where there is open conflict these elements require transformation. Those who attended identified with a wide range of Christian denominations, there being no Muslim or Buddhist delegates this year, though there were 3 Muslim faculty and 1 Buddhist faculty: Anglican Church, Kenya 1 Anglican Church, Uganda 1 Anglican Church, Sri Lanka 1 Anglican Church, Tanzania 1 Anglican Diocese of Polynesia 2 Assemblies of God, Tanzania 1 Bible Way Church, Solomon Islands 1 Catholic Church of Papua New Guinea 2 Catholic Church, Timor-Leste 3 Catholic Church, Nigeria 1 Catholic Church, Sri Lanka 2 Christian Life Centre, Papua New Guinea 2 Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea 1 Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali 2 Kiribati Protestant Church 1 Maohi Protestant Church 2 Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma 9 Presbyterian Church, Malawi 1 South Sea Evangelical Church 4 Toraja Church, Indonesia 1 United Church of Papua New Guinea 1 United Church of Solomon Islands 3 Uniting Church in Australia 1 15

16 This ecumenical attendance created many rich and liberating relationships among the delegates and faculty and generated powerful learnings for participants. It also allowed them to give greater attention to faith-based approaches to building of peace and for community healing. Participants gained clarity of purpose and motivation for ongoing peacebuilding activities. Inter-religious conversations between delegates and faculty were robust, healthy and clarifying. COURSE STRUCTURE The course commenced on October 5 and ended on November 21, lasting 7 weeks. Some delegates took advantage of the pre-sessional opportunities offered by Alan Walker College. These were a module on Counselling Victims and Perpetrators of Violence in the Home and Trauma Counselling. The course consists of modules, each lasting 5 days. The modules for the first two weeks, namely Fundamentals of Peacebuilding and Principles and Practices for Non-Violent Relations were undertaken by all delegates present. During Sessions three to seven, delegates were offered two options so that they could cover subjects more appropriate to their situations. Two new options were offered, namely Community-Based Trauma Healing led by Mary Hurst and Sustaining Peacebuilders led by Mark and Mary Hurst, and Sally Longley. Resource books were made available to delegates by Ian and Margaret Stehbens, providing important additional information for the modules. Martin Levine of Kentigern Books kindly conducted a bookstall on Monday mornings, offering peacebuilding books for sale that are not otherwise available. This was a highly significant contribution. Every Monday morning commenced with a community breakfast at the Leadership Centre at The Kings School followed by presentations by national groups in which they presented the history of their country and the present situation. These occasions provide the opportunity for reconciliation between representatives of opposing groups to take place, e.g. Papua New Guinea and Bougainville delegates. The increased number of nations represented meant that 2 presentations were made each Monday. The national presentations were followed by a general introduction to the modules set down for the week. Delegates living in close quarters representing so many different nations and cultures can cause considerable friction. The delegates themselves had the maturity to deal with any conflict themselves. So called enemies lived and worked together. Delegates from different cultures clearly developed strong relationships and supported one another. The Holistic, Integrated Model for Peacebuilding was a key resource during the course, especially when delegates prepared their own initiatives to be activated when they return to their home bases. It is always a challenge for delegates to address the past properly by telling the truth and restoring what needs to be restored. Before this can be done, there is the need to understand the relationships of those involved and how these fit into the social system and the culture. It is only then that they can begin to look to a better future. This applies to those who work at the grassroots level as well as those who work with higher levels of leadership. Introductory reading for the modules was made available through the website and provided to delegates on arrival when necessary. Having such a large number of teachers ensures that a variety of teaching 16

17 methods is enjoyed. Most sessions involved delegates in discussion with one another and the teaching team. At the conclusion of each module, delegates were encouraged to reflect on their learning and the associated experiences of the week so as to increase the impact of the week. The course concluded with the 30 delegates who took part in the module, Developing Peacebuilding Initiatives presenting their plans to a group of their peers and a faculty member. The respect for one another that had grown during the course was very evident as delegates encouraged one another and made positive suggestions to one another s plans and dreams. One moving occasion was one of the Indo-Fijian men offering to raise money in his church in Fiji for one of the Solomon Island women who lives in troubled community in Guadalcanal. Another positive feature was the way in which those with the experience in presenting plans for consideration helped those who are new to it. The Appendix lists the action plans prepared by the delegates. THE GRADUATION The graduation took place at The Kings School on Saturday November 22. Three delegates, representing Africa, Asia and the Pacific, reflected upon the impact of the course on them. They were: Rev David Nkone, BA, Dip YMin, Reconciliation Officer, African Enterprise, Tanzania, Mr Peres Amping, S.IP, National President, Community of International Relations Students, Jakarta & Makasar, Indonesia and Mrs Ana-Latu Dickson, Grad Dip Management, Dip Journ, Cert Coun, Coordinator, Milne Bay Counselling Service, Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Another delegate, Mr Augusto Ferreira Soares, who is the Manager for Youth Development & Leadership, Peacebuilding and Child Protection for World Vision Timor Leste was the guest speaker. It is evident from what he said that Peacebuilders International is having a significant impact on Timor Leste. Augusto Soares was present at the massacre at Santa Cruz Cemetery in His cousin was killed when troops fired at a peaceful procession in the cemetery. Augusto began working for World Vision Timor Leste and is currently Better Futures Sector Manager. Augusto did not believe he was equipped to carry out the task that was required of him. As a result of his need for training in peacebuilding, Augusto was given permission to attend the peacebuilding course for 4 weeks in On his return, one of his priorities was the creation of peace clubs among young people in communities that had been severely affected by the outbreaks of violence in There are now over 8,000 young people in peace clubs in Dili and two other centres in Timor Leste. With the support of his employer, World Vision Timor Leste, Augusto returned to Sydney this year for further training and reflection on his experiences. We were honoured by the presence of diplomats from 5 consulates at the graduation. We were pleased to welcome representatives from Nigeria, Kenya, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Solomon Islands. The diplomats from Kenya, Indonesia and Solomon Islands were invited to present certificates to the delegates from Africa, Asia and the Pacific respectively. During the ceremony, a presentation was made to Dr Timothy F Hawkes, Headmaster, The King s School, for his contribution to peacebuilding and leadership internationally. 17

18 AGGREGATE ENROLMENTS Persons & Person Weeks By Nationality Oceania persons person-wks Asia persons person-wks AUSTRALIA CAMBODIA 1 1 PAPUA NEW GUINEA INDONESIA BOUGAINVILLE A.R INDONESIA (in country) FIJI INDIA 3 11 SOLOMON ISLANDS PAKISTAN 2 14 SOLOMON ISLANDS (in country) PHILIPPINES 2 8 VANUATU SOUTH KOREA 1 1 NEW ZEALAND 1 3 SRI LANKA 3 3 TONGA 9 40 TIMOR LESTE 6 20 SAMOA 0 0 Africa FRENCH POLYNESIA 7 41 KENYA 1 7 KIRIBATI 3 9 MALAWI 1 7 COOK ISLANDS 1 7 NIGERIA 1 5 TUVALU 0 0 RWANDA 1 1 NEW CALEDONIA 1 1 SUDAN 1 4 Europe TANZANIA 2 14 DENMARK 1 7 UGANDA 1 7 Americas UNITED STATES 2 10 TOTAL

19 MAKASSAR, AUGUST 2008 National Conference on Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing National Training Seminar on Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing Workshops for Theological Students in Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing THE TEAM The Australian members of the Peacebuilders International Team comprised CEO, Rev Ian Stehbens, Dr John Steward who is fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, and Ashley Saunders. Ian was the Team Leader, and the principal facilitator/teacher in Peacebuilding principles. John s contribution was principally in the area of trauma healing; and Ashley s role was to facilitate relationship building, listen to personal stories, lead in some Bible studies, and report-writing. THE PROGRAMMES: AN OVERVIEW The Ministry comprised three programmes, each conducted by the Theological Seminary of Theology of East Indonesia, Makassar ( STT INTIM ), led by PBI trained peacebuilder, Pdt Julius Amping. The first week s programme the National Conference on Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing and a National Training Seminar on Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing was held in the Grand Wisata Hotel, Makassar. Delegates attended from many provinces of Indonesia: from Sumatra in the West to Maluku and Papua in the East. The second week s programme Workshops for Theological Students in Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing was held in STT INTIM s premises in South Makassar. This programme was attended by 48 STT INTIM students as well as by 12 seminarians from the Catholic Seminary who were preparing to serve in the Philippines and in South America. THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN PEACEBUILDING & TRAUMA HEALING This was a high-level programme, officially opened by the Governor of South Sulawesi, and officially closed by a representative of the Mayor of Makassar. In opening the Conference, the Governor expressed strong hope for what may result from the Conference for the betterment of local communities that have known much conflict. Similarly, in closing the Conference, the Mayor s representative expressed the Mayor s amazement that such a dialogue was taking place and indicated that such dialogue had potential to significantly impact local communities. This National Conference was attended by almost 200 delegates mostly leaders of religious communities from across all of Indonesia. The first Session of the National Conference was given over to discussing the Religious perspectives on Conflict, Peace and Reconciliation. The focus was on gaining an understanding from different religions what those religions teach on these topics and, therefore, how religion can be a resource for peace rather than a source of conflict. These perspectives came from acknowledged experts in Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, (Protestant) Christianity, and Catholicism. Following these presentations, Ian Stehbens was asked to make a general response, which prompted further discussion. In particular, Ian relayed a story of a Bugis Muslim man who lives in Bali, but who is presently studying Hindu Philosophy in India having also undertaken studies with PBI in Sydney. Ian put to the panel that this man had been deeply impacted by Jesus 19

20 teaching that those who would follow Him should love their enemies. Having heard this radical teaching, this man had studied the Qur an to find that the highest teaching he could identify on reconciliation was an injunction that if your enemy desires peace, you should pursue peace at all costs. The Islamic Professor at the National Conference then confirmed that there is nothing in Islam that prevents a person from initiating peace and reconciliation; but, at the same time, that there isn t anything to instruct/command it. He conceded that the closest the Qur an came to that point was that a Muslim should pursue peace at all costs if his enemy desires peace. It was clear from subsequent discussion among the Muslim, Catholic and Protestant Christian speakers on the panel that here is an opportunity for Christ-followers to witness powerfully to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by taking the risk of initiating reconciliation with Muslims and at the same time to hold their Muslim brothers/sisters accountable to their Scriptures: that, the Christian desiring peace, the Muslim should pursue peace at all costs. This puts a challenging onus on both. The second major Session at the National Conference considered presentations on the political, social, and economic impacts of conflict recognising that these aspects both have an ability to influence the factors giving rise to conflict; but, also, that conflict has significant impact on these, and other, areas of society. In addition, Dr John Steward joined this panel, drawing on his experiences in Rwanda to address the potential for international efforts to work for peace, reconciliation and healing in internal conflicts. NATIONAL TRAINING IN PEACEBUILDING & TRAUMA HEALING This Training component of the Programme occupied the remainder of the first week s ministry. Ian Stehbens taught and facilitated discussion and response on the fundamentals of peacebuilding. Dr John Steward led Workshops in aspects of trauma healing. The PBI Team was joined in this Training Programme by Dr John Campbell-Nelson (an American by birth who has lived in Timor for some decades, and who has become embedded in Indonesian culture) and Kyai Dian Nafi (the Head of an Islamic School in Java, and who like Peacebuilders International CEO, has also undertaken some studies at the Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Virginia, USA). This training was attended by some people, many Christian Pastors, but also including quite a few Muslim Imams or other leaders, and a few Buddhist and Hindu delegates. Significant aspects of this Training were: One of the evening programmes was given over to a Burning the Pains Ceremony. This was led by Dr Steward, and was intended both to allow delegates to take this step in their healing, but also to demonstrate an initiative in which they could be involved in their local communities. There was an incredible spirit in the room as people joined in: writing hurtful things they held onto and wished to let go off; sharing with another person something of what they had written; sharing with the wider group (if desired) and then moving as a procession down two flights of stairs to an open courtyard where the pieces of paper were placed symbolically into a burning cauldron. During this procession, the constant refrain was sung: Pray for the peace of humanity, Humanity shall live in peace. Shalom, salam, shanti, shadu, sianci, shalom; Humanity shall live in peace; and The final Session involved delegates gathering in groups of common interest (whether geographical, or specific topic of interest) to apply the peacebuilding principles that had been taught; preparing Action Plans for how this instruction can be applied in a practical way in their home communities. Some people focused on working with individuals; others on communitywide action. However, to see a Muslim Imam and a Christian pastor from a conflicted region standing together as brothers and saying, We need to take this back to our communities, was a blessing. 20

21 WORKSHOP FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS IN PEACEBUILDING & TRAUMA HEALING This programme was attended by some 60 theological students, both Protestant and Catholic. The schedule adopted was: Plenary Session, led by Ian Stehbens, providing biblical input into how we can approach issues of conflict; Concurrent Sessions, led separately by John Steward (Trauma Healing) and Ian Stehbens (Peacebuilding principles); Afternoon Session, led by Ashley Saunders, focusing on specific Bible passages that can make a difference in how we approach issues of conflict and reconciliation. One of the delegates was Geraldi Kongkoli, the son of Pdt Irianto Kongkoli, who, when the General Secretary of the Central Sulawesi Synod, was assassinated in Palu, Central Sulawesi, in October Geraldi admitted to having difficulty coming to terms with his father s killing and reported that he resented the many Christian Pastors from many parts of Indonesia wanted to meet him, and who pressure him to forgive his father s killers, to forgive and forget. John Steward was able to counsel Geraldi not to confess forgiveness of those killers until and unless he meant it and even this ministry was powerful in Geraldi s life. To realise that we cannot forget, but we choose to forgive because we cannot forget, was liberating for many. Another of the delegates was a student from Central Sulawesi, who, as a child had experienced the atrocities of the Jihad in Poso. Speaking at the Closing Ceremony, he said he had found the week s programme very helpful; that he had not understood just how much he had been affected by his experiences; that he had internalised much of what he had gone through; but that now he was in a position to experience healing. In terms of his experiences in Poso, he said words to the effect, I was there the day it started to happen; the day when all the pleasures of my community were being destroyed. I ran away, over dead bodies, and with swords and guns all around me. I estimate that at the time, he would have been no more than between 10 and 12 years of age! And in that series of atrocities, Muslims and Christians were slaughtered by the thousands, and hundreds of thousands became internally displaced people. MALINO, SOUTH SULAWESI Following the conclusion of the two programmes, and before PBI Team members returned to Australia, we were taken to Malino overnight. We were accommodated in something of a Camp-site/Conference Centre; and As part of their induction of new employees, a South Sulawesi Concrete Factory undertakes spiritual retreats; and although the majority of new employees are Muslim, a number identify as Christians. STT INTIM therefore approached the employer, and a Memorandum of Understanding has been entered into, with STT INTIM assuming responsibility for spiritual input into the induction program for Christian employees. Dr John Steward was responsible for some spiritual input the current induction program. Beyond that direct ministry, it was very beneficial to be in Malino the place where the Peace Agreements were forged to officially end the religious conflicts in Maluku (Deklarasi Malino the Malino Declaration) and Central Sulawesi (Malino II). One of the signatories to Malino II was Pdt Irianto Kongkoli, the Synod General Secretary who was assassinated in Palu, Central Sulawesi, in October SCHOLARSHIP PBI was able to offer the leaders of these programs one scholarship to provide for attendance at the International Training in Sydney for a representative of their choice. They chose Mr Peres Amping, who is the son of Rev Julius Amping, and is National Secretary for University Students of International Affairs. Peres, throughout his life, has lived through persecution and violent conflict in Indonesia, and has been an active defender. The anger, hatred, hurt and trauma that he carried was revealed and released during his period of residential training in Sydney, and he willing shared his graphic story and healing at the conclusion of the program in Sydney, November

22 DOWNSTREAM NEWS DOWNSTREAM IN SOLOMON ISLANDS Ishmael Idu Ishmael Idu was recognised by the President of South Sea Evangelical Church as a courageous young pastor who was prepared to challenge young men who were taking up arms to join the Malaitan Eagle Force. With funding sourced from NCCA, he was sent to PBI 2004 training. With only 6 years of education, Ishmael at first felt out of depth in the company of other delegates. But he returned home passionate about transforming the violence in his society. His strategic approach was to conduct district workshops for grassroots leaders, each district that he chose he knew to be a hotspot that had sent young men into the militias. Beginning in his own culture in 2005, he moved to work among his enemy in Guadalcanal. Given quick acceptance by the enemy militia who needed his advocacy and leadership to find a way out of the fear and violent cycles of war, he has continued working in Guadalcanal, most of his time being spent either in destroyed villages or in remote areas. Ishmael returned to PBI 2007, reflecting, seeking further mentoring and to learn more from the program. As part of the process of his development he contributed as faculty in the Fundamnetals of Peacebuilding module. On return to Guadalcanal, he established 36 Peace and Good Order Committees with a further 2 in Malaita, where he first began his Initiatives for Change workshops. During my visit to Weather Coast of Guadalcanal in September 2008, I witnessed the work of Ishmael Idu and of the Peace and Good Order Committees, all of which are locally run and all taking serious responsibility to ensure accountability for violent offences including arson, deaths and militia offensives. Where funding is required to pay compensation, this is determined and sourced. Where reconciliations need to occur these are organised publicly. Each of the committees has responsibility for a Ward that may include around villages. Local chiefs, teachers, pastors and women leaders are appointed to the committees. The Veuru Moli Peace and Reconciliation Committee, for example, has responsibility for 17 villages in Moli Ward, and the committee involves 10 chiefs, 3 pastors, women leaders and administrative leaders of the House of Chiefs. It is based in Makaruka Village on the Weather Coast, 130 kms in an open boat from the town of Honiara. This P&RC has identified 34 specific conflicts and determined processes of mediation, compensation, restitution, accountability and reconciliation to be followed for all cases. Ex-militants, families of deceased, those threatened, those who lost their village to arson, disputes over reef, land rights and ownership issues, religious conflict, youth gangs involved in clashes are all being attended to, with specific, public and concrete processes. 22

23 DOWNSTREAM IN INDONESIA Julius Amping, Makassar In Sulawesi, PBI graduates have conducted training and convened summits on return home. Just the notion of a summit of Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu is astounding enough, but what this does is creates not only the possibility but the on-going desire for government and religious leaders to continue to dialogue and work collaboratively. Never before have I seen this! [Mayor of Makassar] or We were suspicious of this program at first, but we have monitored it closely, and we want you to know you have the full endorsement of the government of RI. We need to see PBI Leaders in Indonesia every few months. [Secretary to the Vice-President of Indonesia] or I never expected that this was possible, that Muslims, Christians, Catholics and Hindus could live together in the one hotel for 2 weeks. But the miracle has happened and I apologise for not being fully committed to this at the beginning. I now see how small my mind can be. [Director of Spiritual Formation, Bali Christian Church] Onya Ely, Ambon Onya attended the National Seminar and the Workshop in Trauma Healing and Peacebuilding held in Makassar, Sulawesi, Indonesia in She came with a passion born out of the tragic conflict between Muslims and Christians in Maluku. She previously had attended a UN sponsored program in Java, and a local inter-faith reconciliation program, Young Ambassadors for Peace program convened by Ms Balazo, Uniting International Mission of Uniting Church in Australia. Onya is a young Muslim woman who after training with us in Makassar returned home and formed Moluccas Peace Generation. She has now developed an ongoing training program through MPG in cooperation with Oikumene Bureau of the Synod of Gereja Protestan Maluku (GPM). Onya together with Lastry Likumahua coordinate the program of training in Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing. GPM is a partner of Peacebuilders International and previously, our CEO has visited the Synod Office and as a result Pdt Daniel Wattimenela attended our training in Sydney. Ibu Onya Ely writes in English, To implement our proposal we partnered with Ouikumene Bureau for their activities are an integral part of the work of the Synod Board of GPM. Our discussion between MPG and GPM was about what will we do to maintain peace in Post-conflict Maluku. Finally, we agree that even though the conflict has been resolved, the process must be kept and done because not all people hasn t been forgotten yet of their suffering. Trauma which effected by conflict, segregation and relocation in terms of family relationship in post-conflict Maluku still exists and is seen till now in both communities (Moslem and Christian). Both have been traumatise[d] and are scared to live with each other. This things could be seen when some earlier attempts at peace building activities were conducted. Even though those earlier things were done for each community [yet] they hesitated to sit together with other. According to them... it s hard to forget all things when the conflict occurred for several years... and it s trauma and scare to involved the process with different communities. Conflict effected long trauma for everyone in Maluku and it s not easy to forget it even 5-10 years [on]. All People fought directly in conflict and now when they see 2 people or groups fight that it will absolutely appear their trigger memory. Logically, to erase it is impossible and even to minimize it that it s not easy such upheaval. People need a helpful process and long time then we can go forward slowly. Therefore peace building and 23

24 trauma healing must be done [because] still many people outside are still scare[d] and traumatised even [though] conflict had resolved. People also still suspicious and sometime blame each other. The Maluku peace atmosphere has to be kept because right now some people insisted to create conflict again. It could be seen by some of terror bombs that blew up to provocation people and attacked their emotions in terminal till in the house prayer in the 2007, and one recent case in Masohi on November That s why the trauma healing and peace building as part of process to keep and create peace and must be done steadily. GPM s [is] struggling with issues related to the Pluralism. But based on the decision Assembly XXXV Synode GPM and BPL Assembly XXIX in Tual (Maluku Southeast) and BPL Assembly XXX In Kairatu (West Seram Island) they focused on diversity theme for [and] held religious seminars in seven regencies (classis) for GPM area. This gave us a foundation on which to begin. This time the similar activity is held and organized by MPG and GPM too. They work together from beginning, [from] preparation for the training and controlling process till end. The implementors are people who have powerful commitment and [are] highly experienced in attending and [conducting] the similar activity before. They are volunteers who willing to work without payment and willing to work as team, responsibily with all their job description. The trauma healing and peace building programs will be attended by youth, activists, religious leaders as participant and [our hope is] that they will each design follow up program to be conducted by them. Time and Place: It will be held from June-December 2009 and implemented in Ambon City, in Central Maluku and on West Seram Island. Participants will be youth, activists, Religious Leaders from areas conflict has been acute especially those border communities that were between Christian and Muslim areas., namely Salahutu Subdistrict North Seram Masohi Elpa Putih Subdistrict Ambon City TNS Subdistrict Leihitu Subdistrict Saparua Subdistrict Haruku Subdistrict Piru Subdistrict Waisala Subdistrict Taniwel Subdistrict Kairatu Subdistrict Manipa Subdistrict Tehoru Subdistrict 24

25 Our initial program will include sessions on Peace building Principles Principles and Types of Non Violent Practice Community based Trauma Healing Our Religions as sources of peace Maluku Cultural perspectives and the Reconciliation Process Forgiveness Action Plan It certainly is a great privilege to have become a partner with Onya Ely and with GPM, and it is so fulfilling for Peacebuilders International to see such action and influence flowing directly from our obedience to our calling. It is clear that we are making a significant difference. In her communications with me, Onya is so so grateful for our training. For those of us who worked in Makassar. It is necessary to report on how all this comes about. It is not merely a one-off initiative, and it begins from our proactivity. Following on from the remarkable impacts our Sydney based training (2003, 2004, 2005) together with the flow-on training in Bali (2006) had upon the Bali Church, Bali society and its strategic effect on eastern Indonesia, I chose to visit Ambon, Maluku in For this visit I was accompanied by Pdt Priana, (General Secretary GKPB) and together we engaged the Maluku Church (GPM) in strategic thinking about peacebuilding and touched into their struggles with religious pluralism. GPM (with some funding assistance from Uniting International Mission) sent one of their pastors to our Sydney training. My follow-up visit to Indonesia included a visit to Bali, Makassar, Palu, Poso and Tentena to be immersed in another conflicted society, where bombs and assassinations were very recent. Pdt Priana and Rev John Ruhle accompanied me on this visit. Without me, Pdt Priana would not have been willing to venture into such places for recently the General Secretary of the Central Sulawesi Church had been assassinated! But we met significant people, and our visit was a notable encouragement to many. Pdt Julius Amping was but one of them. He was the Principal of the Theological Seminary of Eastern Indonesia in Makassar. I arranged for him to attend Peacebuilding Training in Sydney in 2007, and on his return he began to organise the National Seminar of Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing in Makassar, followed by two workshops in the 2 weeks following the seminar. For this 2008 seminar and the workshops in Makassar, I was partnered with Dr John Steward, Rev Ashley Saunders, Pdt Julius Amping, as well as local and national faculty from Indonesia. The initiative of Ibu Onya Ely is a direct outcome, and to those who are familiar with our training curricula, it is immediately apparent that she has learnt well and draws from this training. She is another remarkably courageous woman, of whom we can be most proud. DOWNSTREAM IN TIMOR LESTE Augusto Soares The 3 Timor Leste delegates came because of the remarkable success of one of them as a result of his having attended our training in He had come to complete his full certificate program. His 2007 project produced more than 8000 members of newly created peace clubs, organized a major World Youth Day celebration that was directed towards peace and just development. The youth proposed and communicated national goals for peace and development in Timor Leste. His report at the PBI course brought great affirmation to the faculty team and inspired the other delegates. 25

26 DOWNSTREAM IN BOUGAINVILLE AUTONOMOUS REGION Dennis Kuiai, Ishmael Toroama, Jobson Misang and Rose Pihei Jobson Misang, CEO Dept Veterans Affairs, Peace and Reconciliation in the Bougainville Government had worked with our delegates from 2006 and He now sees the critical need to educate pastors in peacebuilding and reconciliation practice, for their current practice of separating their congregation from others is a serious block to the ending of conflict, to healing communities and to building social and physical infrastructure. He believes they are not equipped to lead their people at this critical time for Bougainville. He is working on designing appropriate social change and identifying specific training needs that may overcome this impediment to national reconciliation, unity and forgiveness. Division is a serious impediment to community development, and the provision of infrastructure, as well as to the healing of veterans and their families. He and Rose Pihei came to PBI 2008, because of the recommendations of previous delegates. His role as CEO is crucial in the programs of comprehensive disarmament and comprehensive reconciliation instituted by Dennis and Ishmael (former BRA Commander). Since returning home, Dennis was promoted to permanent Secretary, Office of the President and is hence the chief administrator in Bougainville. The specific reason given for his promotion by the President was his learning and strategic recommendations that he developed during PBI When the President, Joseph Kabui died suddenly in office, Dennis then had to assume ultimate responsibility for the running of the Autonomous Region until the election of a new President. The team trained by Peacebuilders International are now moving Bougainville towards a full peace Audit. DOWNSTREAM IN BALI Pdt Made Priana, Ms Komalawati, Pdt Victorius Hamel, Pdt Lisa Hamel, I Made Darmayasa & Gilbert Naingolan, Bali The Christian Church in Bali has agreed to implement regional training in peacebuilding, drawing on our trainees, but yet requesting our support in planning and giving authority to their work. Their major training college, Hotel & Tourism College and Institute, is Bali s largest private tourism college. Two of their faculty have been sent to PBI training in Sydney with a view to developing peacebuilding streams within their curricula and also with the goal of hosting a regional training program for Indonesia and Timor Leste. Planning for this will commence in May Four of their faculty have now been trained by PBI. The college sees a positive and symbiotic relationship between peacebuilding and tourism as critical to their future. 26

27 OBITUARY YUDHIS MUHAMMAD BURHANUDDIN Yudhis Muhammad Burhanuddin died in Delhi India, during September He was one of PBI s most productive peacebuilders, a young man full of courage and great promise. He was born in Pare Pare, Indonesia into a Muslim family. He settled in Denpasar, Bali where he was a journalist. In 2006, he attended the National Consultation on the Unity of the Republic of Indonesia, which PBI initiated and he attended the residential training following the consultation. A deep desire grew within Yudhis to transform relationships between Muslims and people of other faiths. This took real courage because of the strong opposition to inter-faith relationships in Indonesia and more especially in this period after the terror bombings. As a result of our training, he was one of the co-founders of the Peace Forum in Bali. Yudhis applied to attend PBI 2006 in Sydney and was granted a scholarship to attend. It was a remarkable experience for him, and for all other delegates because of his sharp mind, his courage and his grace. He found the teachings of Jesus most challenging and inspiring, especially the injunction to Love your enemies. He said at the time that the strongest injunction he was aware of in the Qu ran was that if your enemy desires peace, one is to pursue peace at all cost. He added, But to love your enemies is a greater requirement. His resolves following the course in Sydney included i. To write an analysis on the conflict situation that currently prevailed in Bali and to commend ways forward. His book, The Lost Bali, was published in ii. To reflect on the resources within Islamic teaching, tradition and the life model of the Prophet Muhammed pbuh for building peace, and at the same time to explore Christianity similarly to draw deeply on the ethics and theology of peacebuilding, reconciliation and loving enemies. iii. To call his people into a commitment to build harmony and peace inspite of a structurally divided society in Indonesia. On return home to Bali, not only did he write The Lost Bali, but he sought to enroll for post-graduate studies in a Jakarta University where he could explore his Islamic faith further, so that with authority and understanding he could call his people into the way of building peace and loving enemies such that they became brothers and sisters again across religious differences. However, he was not accepted at his first application to join the post-grad program, so he applied to the University in Bali, a Hindu university, where he sought to understand Hinduism with the goal of inviting Hindus as well as Muslims and Christians to the mandate to love enemies and pro-actively build peace. He applied himself fully to the calling and became the top post-graduate student, a Muslim studying Hindu History in a Hindu University. Consequently he was awarded a scholarship by the Indian Government to study for his Doctorate in Delhi, India. However, the scholarship only provided for his course fees, and he had to exist on the most minimal of resources. He wrote, I have a very small room, with just enough room for a mat and a small desk and my few things. It is cold already and I am glad I have my coat bought in Aussie. I have been able to buy one blanket. Others of my countrymen are complaining about every thing, but I prefer to be content. It is good for me to live in a minimalist way, for that helps me understand the philosophies I came here to explore. Evidently he wasn t well, for when he died there were some medications in his room. His body was repatriated to Para Pare where he was buried. His desire to love enemies, to build peace, and to discover the resources within each religion so that he could lead his people to live in a sustainable peace will always be an inspiration to those who knew him, including the PBI faculty and students who knew him, the team who worked beside him in Bali, his family and his beloved fiancée, Dian. 27

28 FUTURE DIRECTIONS Peacebuilders International is committed to continue to make contact with past delegates, encouraging them, learning from their experience and responding to their needs as we are able seek to develop a stable of competent peacebuilders so that we can partner with organizations that need to have some form of peacebuilding developed in association with their core business. deploy staff to a tertiary educational institution in Polynesia for a semester to engender social change to endemic and institutional patterns of violence, and to introduce formal training in peacebuilding to Polynesia. conduct a peacebuilding training program in Bali for delegates from Indonesia and Timor Leste. cooperate with the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga, the Council of Churches in Tonga and the Tokaikolo Church in Tonga in establishing a program to help integrate Tongans who have been deported, especially those deported from USA and Australia. advise the government in the conduct of a peace audit in Bougainville. begin the creation of a cell of peacebuilders in Queensland committed to PBI, in partnership with a revitalised team existing in NSW. The major difficulties we face are: The Coup in Fiji continues to have an impact on the Fijian peacebuilders who seeking to build peace in their country and on our course, as the numbers of delegates from Fiji has decreased as a result of the coup, though the activity and determination of our teams has not decreased. Most of our delegates continue to come from damaged countries. They have few financial resources available for them to access training. This will only be made worse by the current world economic situation. We rely on support from donors and funding organizations to enable us to train them. This is always going to be difficult for us, yet we will continue with our calling, enabled by donors. We believe we need to be recognised with DGR status, but at this point do not have the personnel and resources to achieve this readily. During this financial year, the work initiated by former Director, Mr John Wallis, has concluded. He initiated the production of a Sell-In Document which was produced, but not distributed as a Fund Raising Consultant needed to be engaged. Evelyn Mason was engaged and produced grant application templates and lists of possible funding sources. Next a Business Plan was required and Jacqui Gibbs was engaged by Mr Wallis. A Business Plan was prepared, but before it could be taken with the Sell-In Documents to prospective corporate funders, Mr Wallis required a redevelopment of the Website. Mr Wallis generously provided the funds to engage the consultants. However, Mr Wallis relationship with other Directors broke down, and the earlier Sell-In Document had become significantly out of date. This has been difficult process for PBI, but much has been learnt in the process and the development of PBI, now requires the focus to be on partnerships rather than on the difficult process of establishing a stand-alone, funded corporate body. The nations of the South West Pacific region continue to be vulnerable to the economies of China and South Asia. These stronger powers apply political pressure so that they can meet their resource demands. The current economic crisis places nations with weak economies into very vulnerable positions. We believe an increasing emphasis on peacebuilding as core business in development work can only help this situation. The Impacts of Climate Change, especially in the increasing storm events will have a serious impact on many areas and especially weaker and smaller nations, of which there arre many in the realm in which PBI operates. As resources deteriorate and economies fail, conflict will increase. As conflict increase negative impacts on resources and social viability occur. This issue must be wrestled with in our strategic planning. 28

29 FINANCE REPORT 2008 Overview Again in 2008 we received great support through the year from our partners. This year, in addition to the valuable support we receive from TEAR Australia, The King s School and Alan Walker College, new partners such as African Enterprise, Christian World Service and Wesley Mission provided significant boost. TEAR continue in their partnership agreement with Peacebuilders International and this allows us to reach people in conflict areas that would otherwise be unable to participate in our Peacebuilding convocation. The King s School provided resources for the program including theatres, classroom and meals for the delegates that attended. Dr Timothy Hawkes, Headmaster of The King's School, has stated that the partnership with Peacebuilders International is highly valued by the school, and feels that we return great value in the experience that delegates bring to students at the school. Alan Walker College again shared staffing resources and accommodation for delegates, providing Peacebuilders International with highly valued support. African Enterprise supported a number of African delegates and this was a great boost for the main Peacebuilding program. Wesley Mission also provided support for delegates from Guadacanal in Solomon Islands, who were delegates of the United Church in Solomon Islands. Christion World Service provided valuable support, setting up a Tax Deductible fund which allowed Peacebuilders International to fundraise effectively for our Sulawesi Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing program. They also provded a significant donation to support Peacebuilders International in our general business, a portion of which was used in the Sulawesi program and the balance during the Sydney Peacebuilding convocation. Also highly valued are the company members and other supporters that responded to our fundraising dinners and other appeals. The contributions of the Uniting Churches at Dundas West, South Turramurra and Turramurra have been consistent and significant over the years. We are grateful to these major partners as well as to all those that support Peacebuilders International and our goals. Donations In Kind Peacebuilders International, as mentioned above, is grateful for the support we receive from our partners. Although not included in our audited accounts, sponsors have requested that information on donations in kind be provided, giving better detail of the scope of our operations than the simplified view that the Chart of Accounts provides. Following are details of in-kind donations from partners. This list is not exhaustive and the values placed on each item are the values that our partners provide to not-for-profit institution, rather than commercial rates. This stills gives a good overview of the investments that partners are making to peacebuilding programs, and is a key to our effectiveness. 29

30 Resources Provided by Value Meals lunches, morning teas and afternoon teas are donated to Peacebuilders International for the course of the program at both venues. The King s School (lunches, reception dinner) $7,810 Alan Walker College (lunches) $4,785 Academic faculty - offer their time to the program as a donation in kind. Various Faculty $68,500 Classrooms teaching facilities at The King s School donated for the duration of program. The King s School $4,000 Rental of Motel - Set-up fees, rental discount, laundry Raine & Horne Parramatta $350 Page Boy Laundry $450 M Magor $2,500 Graphic Design for brochures and web hosting, along with the associated web hosting charges are donated. These allow advertising to increase program participation. CT Group Pty Ltd $5,200 Travel costs incurred during trips to countries in which Peacebuilders International operates are partly covered by Peacebuilders International and the balance donated by the various donors. Various Donors $4,720 Total Value for in-kind donations $98,315 Income 2008 saw an increase in turnover from 2007 but also saw an increase in programs. With our CEO involved, with others, in programs in East Timor, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and Australia, appeals were made to support these programs. Carry forward surpluses from previous years were also allocated to these programs, allowing us to budget for a deficit between income and expenditure. Expenditure A significant program was run in Sydney, requiring accommodation outside our normal partners. Accommodation and faculty costs made up most of the expense for programs this year, with smaller amounts spent on advertising and operational costs from provious years. Conclusion Peacebuilders International continues to grow in our influence and responsibilities around the region. Our organisational structure and the support of our partner institutions provides us with a sound footing to continue this expansion, while meeting our obligations will see a year of significant change, but with the aid of committed partners and a dedicated membership the company will continue stably throughout the year. With a partner bringing advantage such as Tax Deductibility for projects, we can also continue this project focus forward. 30

31 DETAILED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Profit & Loss Statement 20/05/ :57:26 AM January 2008 through December 2008 Income Donations $27, Activities Income $72.73 Course fees $44, Fundraising Dinners $ Resale to student or faculty $25.45 Membership fees $ Miscellaneous Income $4, Interest $ Total Income $77, Cost of Sales Course and student supplies Student accommodation $60, Student Transport $4, Staff and Faculty Costs Honorariums $3, Faculty travel $8, Total Cost of Sales $76, Gross Profit $ Expenses Supplies $ Bad Debt $1, Insurance $ Late Fees Paid $ Legal & Accounting $3, Postage & Shipping $11.64 Office supplies $ Rent $ Telephone $ Internet Services $18.18 Travel $1, Bank and merchant fees $ Advertising and Promotion Advertising $3, Course brochures $1, Course operation Scholarship allowance $2, International Projects Sulawesi - Peacebuilding $1, Total Expenses $19, Operating Profit -$18, Other Income Interest Income $ Total Other Income $ Other Expenses Net Surplus / (Deficit) -$18,

32 STAKEHOLDERS The following churches and organisations are stakeholders in Pacific PeaceBuilding Initiatives Ltd trading as Peacebuilders International ADRA - Adventist Relief & Development Agency Alan Walker College Anglican Church Diocese of Polynesia Churches of Christ in Vanuatu Cook Islands Christian Church Department of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, The Government of Solomon Islands Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands Edmund Rice Centre for Justice & Community Education Église Évangélique de Nouvelle Calédonie et oux Îles Loyaute Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali: Protestant Christian Church of Bali Gereja Methodist Indonesia Gereja Protestan Maluku Kiribati Protestant Church Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma Methodist Church in Samoa Methodist Church of New Zealand: Te Hahi Weteriana O Aotearoa National Council of Churches in Australia Nauru Congregational Church Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu Presbyterian Church in Aotearoa - New Zealand Seoul Theological University Solomon Islands Christian Association South Sea Evangelical Church Tonga Council of Churches United Church in Papua New Guinea United Church in Solomon Islands Uniting Church in Australia Uniting International Mission now Uniting World World Evangelism of World Methodist Council World For Christ Mission (Indonesian) 32

33 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS PEACEBUILDERS INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Directors: Rev Ian Stehbens BA, MSc, BTH, FRGS Rev John Woodley BTh Mr Indrajit Arulampalam Mr Alistair Gee Mr Fradreck Nyamhunga Mr Conrad Smith Mrs Renee Smith Former Directors: Rev Norman McDonald ( ) Mrs Meleane Moala Kami ( ) Mr Bruce Kemp ( ) Mrs Viniana Ravetali ( ) Mr John Wallis ( ) PEACEBUILDERS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE BEARERS Founder & CEO: Rev Ian Stehbens President: Secretary: Finance Director: Rev John Woodley Mr Fradreck Nyamhunga Mr Conrad Smith Ian Stehbens CEO working in Timor Leste 33