The town of Tari is located approximately 1800 metres above sea level in PNG’s Southern Highlands province. The locals live traditional lifestyles and have a colourful and vibrant local culture.

Conflict and unrest between villages and tribes have posed a development problem in PNG for decades. Not only does this prevent a peaceful life, it prevents local organisations from addressing development issues such as access to basic health care and educational services.

More recently, approval for an Exxon-Mobil led liquefi ed natural gas project in the Southern Highlands is creating a new source of tension for locals. The project is due to start in 2014 and will have a life of over 30 years.

The deal is the largest ever in the Pacifi c, involving an investment of around 15 billion dollars. Gas will be piped through 700 km of pipelines to a storage facility near Port Moresby. The project is expected to double the size of the PNG economy, providing an estimated return of 30 billion dollars.

But for the local residents of rural PNG, these outcomes will not shine so bright. The deal includes only a 2.8 per cent share for local residents. Despite the size of the investment, once operating the mine is expected to employ less than one thousand locals.

In response to the ongoing tension in this region, the UnitingWorld Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) program will continue to respond to the needs of the people in communities surrounding Tari.

A new workshop will be established in the nearby town of Como. In the second half to 2010, two additional peace building workshops will be held back to back, to train local community leaders in peaceful confl ict resolution.

Associate Director, Peacemaking Programs, Ms Joy Balazo is concerned about the affects the gas deal is having on local communities, but is hopeful that YAP can help continue what has already been achieved in Tari.

“This battle of haves versus have-nots is causing signifi cant tension. I’ve seen with my own eyes the affect this is having on these communities. I am confi dent that these workshops will help stem destructive confl ict. More peacemaking is desperately needed to help prevent a return to violence.”