A PACIFIC FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PACIFIC CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION NETWORK

OVERALL AIM

Following the decision at the hui to establish a Pacific Conflict Transformation Network (PCTN), a proposal for funding for a feasibility study was submitted to NZAID and was successful. The aim of the proposal was to gauge the feasibility of linking the network to a wide range of Pacific Island NGOs. Further support was provided by the Australian Council of Churches.

OBJECTIVES

1.   To discover and document activities currently being carried out in the field of conflict transformation throughout the Pacific region.

2.   To ascertain whether there is any perceived need for regional co­ordination, facilities or any other support for conflict transformation activities

3.   To discover whether those consulted see any value in linking to a PCTN.

4.   To discuss how that linkage would operate with those who support the concept, including preferred location and what the network would do for them.

5.   To learn how those active in the area of conflict transformation operate, and whether they have developed any methods of identifying early potential sources of conflict.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In February of 2004 a hui was held at Nga Wai o Horatiu Marae at Auckland University of Technology to discuss the proposal to establish a Pacific Conflict Transformation Network.  A feasibility study to assess interest in, and the need and support for such a network within the Pacific region was agreed by hui attendees to be the obvious next step. Funding to enable the study to be undertaken was provided by NZAid and the National Council of Churches, Australia, and Ema Tagicakibau, of the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, was commissioned to undertake the study.

The survey covered eight Pacific Island states:- Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kanaky (New Caledonia), Samoa, Tonga and Fiji. This group includes countries that have suffered greatly from violent conflicts and others that have remained considerably more peaceful. Useful lessons could well be learned from studying how it is that some countries in the region have avoided violent conflict. Meetings were held with conflict resolution/transformation (CR/T) practitioners in all these countries.

It was first important to discuss the causes of conflict before addressing the availability of CR/T resources/services.

Internal conflicts stemming from indigenous peoples’ struggles for self-determination, fundamental human rights and security as well as access to resources are acknowledged to be the key causes of most of the conflicts in the region. There has been ethnic violence and tensions, manifested in and exacerbated by, disputes over land, economic disparities and lack of good governance.

The survey utilised a human security framework covering the following areas:

Economic

Personal

Environmental

Community

Political

Food and Health

The findings indicate that diverse aspects of human security are already being breached in the Pacific Island states surveyed: from the rape of women in the Bougainville crisis to the illegal trade in small arms; from the impact of the globalised economy to the ongoing cycle of domestic abuse.

The availability of CR/T services in the area was canvassed and very few national NGOs were identified that dealt specifically with CR/T. A range of grass roots groups have come into being and have operated with varying levels of success. There are also no regional organisations focusing on CR/T, with conflicts being addressed under programmes covering issues such as gender and human rights.

Faith-based initiatives have been undertaken in the region by organisations based in Australia. Some NGOs and churches provide support with post-trauma counselling, conflict prevention, restorative justice and reconciliation.

Women’s human rights groups in the region focus on domestic abuse and a range of violations against women, both within the home and in the context of armed conflicts.

Good governance and general human rights are promoted by a variety of organisations and networks. Indigenous peoples’ movements, campaigning for self-determination, opposing militarisation and environmental degradation, also exist in the region.

There are traditional forms of CR/T being used, often successfully, but these tend to exist only in oral, not written form, at present.

Restorative justice is also used successfully in the region and it has a long tradition of usage in some areas.

Suggestions were made about the possible structure of the network and type and range of organisations that could be involved, and where it might be based within the Pacific Island states.

It is clear from the survey that no early warning system, concerning the conflicts that are brewing, currently exists and action to change this is seen as being an important early step.

The term ‘conflict transformation’ can be a difficult one for Pacific people who are struggling with English and a preference for a simplified name was expressed.

The concept of a network to support and promote CR/T was welcomed and appreciated by those taking part in the study. It was seen as being timely and necessary. A good number of suggestions were given about the activities and role such a network could take on. Most organisations interviewed were willing to contribute expertise to such a network.