The UnitingWorld Young Ambassadors for Peace program is currently in planning for additional peacemaking workshops in the Southern Highlands province in Papua New Guinea as new liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal creates a new source of tension for local people.

UnitingWorld Associate Director for Peacemaking, Ms Joy Balazo, is planning several additional workshops in the region to prevent further destructive conflict as a result of the deal.

The Exxon Mobil led LNG project is the biggest deal ever of its kind in the Pacific. An estimated AUD 15 million was invested in the project. Gas will be transported through 700 km of pipes from the Southern highlands to a Port Moresby storage facility.

The project is due to commence after construction finishes in 2014, and will have a life of over 30 years. It will yield an estimated return of AUD 30 billion, and is expected to double the PNG economy.

But local residents who live either on or surrounding the mining area will not see such benefits. Despite the size of the investment, once operating the mine is expected to employ less than 1000 locals. The deal includes only a 2.8 per cent share for local residents.

Some local tribal groups living on the mining sites are being relocated with minimal compensation, but the construction of roads for heavy machinery and a large international cargo airport are also causing severe disruptions.

UnitingWorld Associate Director for Peacemaking, Ms Joy Balazo, is deeply concerned about the effects the LNG deal is having on the peace within and between local communities.

“There is a battle of haves versus have-nots, and it is causing significant tension. I’ve seen with my own eyes the affect this is having on these communities. I am confident that these workshops will help stem destructive conflict.

“The local people that I have spoken to are not against development. They want development, but they want to be consulted on what is being done to the land where they live and how it is going to benefit them in the future,” said Joy.

In 2010, the YAP program will respond to the threat of growing conflict by holding additional workshops in the area surrounding Komo, located approximately 40 km south of Tari, to train community members and leaders in peaceful conflict resolution. The workshops will facilitate communication between communities and empower them to work together during uncertain times.

The YAP program has been working with communities surrounding Tari since 2003. In this time, significant steps have been made, including the signing of a peace treaty in 2008. Hundreds of participants from 32 tribal groups signed the treaty and agreed to give up their arms.

“More peacemaking is desperately needed to help prevent a return to destructive violence. I am confident that the treaty will go a long way to helping prevent this,” said Joy.

On June 21, Micah Challenge, the coalition of faith-based international development organisations, will hold the key Voices for Justice Signature Event in the Great Hall of Parliament House, where a giant scroll of signatures for the Micah Call will be rolled out – Amazing Grace-style.

UnitingWorld, as a member agency of Micah Challenge, wants to have as many names on the Micah Call list as possible before 15 June so we can have maximum impact in demonstrating the shared aim on the Micah Challenge and UnitingWorld to halve global poverty by 2015.

The scroll will be presented to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Follow the link on the left to read more about the Micah Call and add you name to the growing list of Christians demonstrating our commitment to expressing the compassion of Jesus for people living in poverty.