UnitingWorld’s Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) centre in Ambon, Indonesia was once the scene of mass conflict, as hundreds of machete-wielding Christian and Muslim youth clashed in a bloody confrontation. Today, the centre is spreading the message of peace between and within these communities.

Since 2001, YAP has been working in Ambon for peace between tribal groups, groups in conflict with government and in Christian–Muslim conflict situations. Peace workshops and training for local peace leaders has seen great improvements in relations between the two faiths.

UnitingWorld’s work has earned great respect and created many new frontiers and opportunities for YAP. In February 2009, Kiki, our coordinator in Ambon, was asked to bring YAP to a 100% Muslim area in the north of Ambon. After a meeting with Muslim leaders, Joy Balazo and the YAP Ambon members commenced planning peace work along the coastal strip from Asilulu to Mamala.

This area of North Ambon, particularly the villages of Asilulu, Negri Lima and Ureng, has experienced much conflict between the Muslim communities, as well as between youth and older community members. These ongoing conflicts led to the last Christians in the area fleeing in 2004.

Now these Muslim villages are seeking to create and maintain peace thanks to Young Ambassadors for Peace. In August, the peace process began with a peace workshop conducted by Joy and local YAP leaders. It was the the first of its kind for 14 Muslim community members from each village.

The workshop immediately began to break down the barriers between the villagers, mapping conflict, burning prejudices and committing the participants to the peace movement.

The workshop sparked a drive for ongoing peace and reconciliation in the area. “The workshop changed our attitude, heart and our bitterness,” said Jai, a participant in the landmark workshop. “I thank God for sending you all here. For all my friends, after this workshop may we not only be friends here but also when we return home to be able to create peace.”

As the message of peace filters through the different communities, plans are already being developed to bring the Christian communities who fled in 2004 back to the lands they had lived on for centuries. With YAP’s help, the villages in North Ambon have committed to a peaceful future. “We now know the importance of peace which we will bring home to our communities. We will try to be better leaders, to be mediators and help our community to solve conflict,” said Uplek, another workshop participant.

YAP will continue to spread the seeds of peace in Ambon with a workshop planned for the Muslim village leaders toward the end of this year.