” There is a very good reason why the Bougainville peace process must succeed. The Bougainville Peace Agreement is a joint product, a joint creation between PNG and like-minded leaders of Bougainville. The PNG Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government are beholden to the BPA and committed to its success. We owe it to our future generations to make it succeed.
The Bougainville Referendum is as much about sustainable peace as it is about the people’s political choice. Whatever the outcome it is also about a peaceful coexistence and respecting that choice.
Our Parliaments – the PNG National Parliament and the Bougainville House of Representatives – must bear witness and exercise the ultimate call to commit to a lasting peace, by their deeds and actions, in the spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
We have this opportunity to show the world how difficult issues can be resolved – fully, successfully and locally. This would provide a stark contrast to the numerous international examples where similar opportunities have been squandered “
Simon Pentanu
Anything war can do, peace can do better. There is no triumph in war. No victors. No winners. No joy. No glory.
Big and so called little wars are a menace to life on earth. They scorch the landscape, cause enormous damage to individuals and societies wherever and whenever they occur. They drench and gut humanity in irreparable ways. They leave untold mental and physical wounds that remain open and infected over generations.
Humans never seem to learn history’s lessons about the terrors and untold damage that come from fighting wars. The only lesson we seem to take away is, if another war has to be fought, it has to be fought harder, better, quicker and smarter. This lesson – which is no solution at all – feeds itself in never ending spirals that lead to more feuds, more fights, more wars. Examples of this are stark and real. They are dotted across every corner of the globe.
All wars do more harm than good. War is the most harmful and despicable form of terrorism against humanity. War even twists our language, as war mongers create euphemisms and meanings that suggest there are justifications for going to war and that friendly fire, collateral damage and injuries are par for the course, expected and normal.
The rules of engagement – yes, you must follow the war rules – favour the wealthy and strong, and disadvantage the meek and weak. Guerrilla warfare tactics have emerged to counteract this disparity. The Viet Cong were a guerrilla outfit. The BRA was a guerrilla outfit. Fidel Castro started out in his military fatigues thinking, employing and deploying guerrilla tactics. Comrade Mugabe, who recently reluctantly resigned as President of Zimbabwe, was still baffling the world with bellicose rhetoric as if he was still in a guerrilla resistance against his one-time Rhodesian enemies.
Latter day religious fundamentalists also drill themselves into a similar state of combative and defensive preparedness laced with religious fervour to fight their enemies.
All wars – conventional, non-conventional or guerrilla – leave disastrous effects and consequences. PNG and its one time province – now the Autonomous Region of Bougainville – are still reeling from a civil war in peace time. Let us not call the Bougainville crisis just a conflict. Both sides lost lives. Bougainville lost 20,000 or more people.
Exploring what this place has to offer, from the untouched tropical islands to the remote mountain villages and all the amazing people that come with it. This is an experience I will never forget.
10 days so far in the autonomous region of Bougainville. Coming into this trip not knowing what to expect, it has been an adventure like no other.
See the full details 10 day Bougainville Experience Tour below
Experiencing village life in the mountains, being the first person in history to fly a drone over certain villages and showing the people their home from above for the first time was truly a special moment.
Then moving to the coastal life, watching kids paddle their way to school on canoes and live sustainably from the ocean and the land. Their way of life eye opening and something people all over the world can learn from.
Bougainville is home to the friendliest people on earth, being treated like family everywhere we go.
It was hard to say goodbye to such an amazing place.
A huge Special thanks to Zhon Bosco, Colin Cowell and the team of Bougainville Experience Tours and all the sponsors (see Listed Below ) for supporting this film project, thanks to them I have been able to capture moments I have only dreamed of.
Stay tuned for more images and a full feature film coming soon. I cannot wait to share this experience with you all.
Zane Wilson 18 year old Student Port Macquarie Australia (Assisted by Sam Magennis) Follow Zane Here
A massive thank you to the team behind Bougainville Experience Tourism for supporting this project. If you are interested in going on a similar expedition like this, get in contact with them and they will assist you in every way possible.
Enjoy the film
2.ABG Bougainville Office of Tourism the land. Tourism Manager : Lorena R Nanei
7.Rising Sun Lodge Arawa Town, Central Bougainville
Bougainville Background
Bougainville has a population of approximately 200,000, occupying two main islands, Buka Island and the larger Bougainville Island with groups of islands known as “The Atolls”, (Nissan, Carteret, Mortlock) scattered to the north east of the main islands.
The landscape of Bougainville Island is rugged, punctuated by two active volcanoes, Mt Balbi and Mt Bagana. The coastline features beautiful, sandy beaches, often fringed by dominant coconut trees. Many fresh water rivers run from the mountainous central corridor, down to the east and west coasts of the island.
The 10 Day BET Features
Over nights stays in 3 “traditional” villages (mountain and island)
Experience Melanesian, sustainable, ecofriendly community living
Experience and share language, cultural activities and performances
Experience all aspects of village life from gardening to cooking
An island retreat with fishing, water sports and relaxation
Travel across island from Buka to Arawa
Environmental bushwalks experiencing unique flora and fauna
We will take you on a journey to the “core of culture
Includes
All airport tranfers,4WD transportation and boat hire
All accommodation in village style comfortable guesthouses
All meals both western and traditional style
All entry fees paid to traditional owners of regions visited
All guiding fees and travel expenses such as bottled water and snacks
Visits to your interest areas such as health, education, women’s issues etc.
Day 1:
Fly to Port Moresby PNG from anywhere in the world
Day 2:
Fly Port Moresby to Buka
Accommodation: Kuri Resort
Day 3:
Travel to Mt Balbi Rotokas Ecotourism
Tour: Travel down the east coast of Bougainville to Wakunai stopping at village markets and other points of interest. When then travel off the main road for 2 hours to your home for the next few days at the foot of Mt Balbi. Visit Togarau Fall
Day 4
Experiencing mountain village culture – Rotokas Eco Tourism
Experience Melanesian, sustainable, ecofriendly community living
Experience and share language, cultural activities and performances
Experience all aspects of village life from gardening to cooking
Accommodation: Togarau community guesthouse
Day 5
Tour: Travel by car and then a short boat ride Bakawari Island, also known as Pokpok, is just off the coast of Bougainville, located near the Kieta Wharf in Central Bougainville. It is only a 5 minute boat ride from the mainland to the island and most people use canoes to go back and forth.
The sea is an integral part of the life in Pokpok Island and everyone who lives on this island is a waterman. Many people from mainland Bougainville think that fishing is a job for men, but on Pokpok Island anyone that knows how to swim and dive can find whatever food they need from the sea.
Day 6
Experiencing coastal/island village culture – Pok Pok
Dinner: Traditional island welcome feast including crayfish in season
Accommodation: Uruna Bay Retreat on Pok Pok
Day 7
Experiencing Mountain Village Topinang
Activities:
Experience Melanesian, sustainable, ecofriendly community living
Experience and share language, cultural activities and performances
Experience all aspects of village life from gardening to cooking
Dinner: Traditional welcome feast
Accommodation: Topinang Guest House
Day 8
Experiencing Mountain Village Topinang
Tour: Visit Arawa and Panguna Mine
Lunch: Picnic lunch
Accommodation: Rising Sun
Day 9
Travel back Arawa to Buka airport
Tour: Spend afternoon visiting Buka and Sohano Island, Buka Market, New Dawn FM Parliament House
Dinner: Kuri Resort
Accommodation: Kuri Resort
Day 10: Thursday 16 November
Fly Buka to Port Moresby
2.Flights lights for Aropa Airport
The installation of flight lights at Aropa Airport would allow visibility and provide guidance information to help pilots acquire the correct approach to the airport.
Member for South Bougainville, timothy Masiu, presented a part payment cheque of K100,000 of the total funding component to Air Niugini and NAC on Friday for the installation of Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) flight lights at Aropa Airport, Kieta, South Bougainville.
Once these lights are installed, Air Niuguni would be able to operate jet aircrafts into Aropa Airport.
This airport is one the oldest airports in PNG and the busiest because of the Bougainville Copper Mine.
It was during the crisis when the airport and its facilities were tampered with, which later had to be rebuilt.
Masiu said the government, though the leadership of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, rehabilitated the airport and runway and Air Niugini began its services with the Q-400.
Masiu said air services into Bougainville are very important.
“It’s part of the development that is taking place in Bougainville along with education, health facilities being redeveloped and brought up to another level now.”
He said after the crisis, most of the services were received in Buka Island only, which meant that the whole of Bougainville had to travel to Buka to get a plane out.
“For the planes to begin landing again we needed these facilities and as partners in development, it would be in the best interest of the people of South Bougainville to assist.”
Masiu has made another commitment for another K100,000 to be put into the refurbishment of Aropa Airport to help facilitate for the PAPI lights.
National Airports Corporation general manager, Jacob Anga said it is very encouraging to see especially during this economic time when provincial members come out to help their people.
“Its good for the people of South and Central Bougainville going forward and as for NAC, as the owners and operators of the airports in PNG, which includes two airports in AROB, we are committed to ensuring the compliance, safety and maintenance of the airport consistently and we can service the people by ensuring that Air Niugini does a safe landing and safe taking off”, Anga said.
Air Niugini general manager for grounds operation, Marco MC Connell, said : “Once this gets underway, the jets resume ops back into Bougainville, Aropa Airport. It ‘ll make it more conducive for business opportunities.”
3.Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program in 2018-2019.
Applications Due November 30, 2017
The East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the first cohort of the Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Programin 2018-2019.
This program will bring two cohorts of tourism industry professionals from the Pacific Islands to Honolulu, Hawai‘i for intensive six-week programs that build significant new capacity and facilitate enduring professional bonds between industry leaders in the United States and the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Islands Tourism Professional Fellows Program will draw broadly and deeply upon Hawaii’s unique position as an American state with one of the world’s premier tourism industries. It is designed to build capacity across the Pacific region by creating strong and enduring connections between 32 mid-level Professional Fellows from 13 Pacific island countries and no fewer than 13 Hawaii-based Americans in private and public tourism-related organizations.
Dates
Spring Cohort
April 23 – May 29, 2018 Activities/Placement in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
May 30 – June 1, 2018 Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, DC
Fall Cohort
October 8 – November 13, 2018 Activities/Placement in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
November 14–16, 2018 Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, DCEligibility
Applicants must:
Be citizens/nationals/permanent residents of one of the eligible countries
Be between the ages of 25-40
Be currently employed in their home country and have a demonstrated history of at least 2 years of employment in the tourism industry
Be willing and able to obtain a J-1 visa and spend 6-weeks in the United States
Be committed to returning to their home country after the program
Have a track record of making an impact in their organziation, company, or community
Be capable of creating an action-orientated plan to address a specific business problem or policy challenge being faced in their country
Have sufficient spoken and written English language proficiency to effectively function in an American workplace.Eligible Countries
For the Spring 2018 cohort applications will be accepted from the following Pacific Islands countries:
“After twelve years of autonomous government we are still constrained in our ability to govern effectively because of the inaction of the National Government,
With the JSB now set for the 14 and 15 of December, the ABG and the National Government are still at loggerheads over the formula for Restoration Development Grant of which close to a K1 billion is owed to the ABG which is a basis of the BPA, the other outstanding funding is the Special Intervention Fund of K500 million with an outstanding of K201 million.
The National Government has consistently failed to meet its obligations under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA),”
President Momis Press Releasepart 2 below
Ministers and Members of the House travelled back to Buka to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 22.
The main purpose for the meeting was for the President, Chief John Momis to brief the House of ABG’s position on matters to be discussed in the forthcoming Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting on December 14-15, as well as the referendum preparations.
The President also used this opportunity to listen to the people’s representatives on ABG’s position on matters before the JSB meeting.
The Speaker called on Members to attend the meeting of the House on Wednesday so they can also be briefed on a direction from the Ombudsman Commission on the duties and responsibilities of the leaders and receive an update from the United Nations Peace Building Fund Coordinator on the second trench of the Peace Building Fund.
President Press Release
The ABG has been consistently let down by the National Government on its continued deferral of the Joint Supervisory Body Meeting and its refusal to engage on important matters relating to the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
ABG President Chief Dr John Momis said that as a legitimate autonomous government afforded specific constitutional powers this was unacceptable.
“The National Government has consistently failed to meet its obligations under the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA),” President Momis said.
“The JSB was established as the primary mechanism under the Bougainville Peace Agreement through which ABG and the National Government must consult and resolve disputes,” he added.
Momis further expressed his disappointment in saying that the National Government has failed to respect the role of the JSB instead using it as a rubber stamp to push through its own views at the expense of the Bougainville people.
“After twelve years of autonomous government we are still constrained in our ability to govern effectively because of the inaction of the National Government,” Momis said.
Over the course of these last twelve years the JSB has not yielded anything of substance except for the negotiations for several drawdown of powers and functions and the implementation of several high impact projects.
With the JSB now set for the 14 and 15 of December, the ABG and the National Government are still at loggerheads over the formula for Restoration Development Grant of which close to a K1 billion is owed to the ABG which is a basis of the BPA, the other outstanding funding is the Special Intervention Fund of K500 million with an outstanding of K201 million.
The ABG’s main focus for this JSB will be on the referendum preparedness by both sides; the ABG has already taken steps to meet the terms of the BPA which will qualify Bougainville on eve of the referendum.
The National Government’s slowness in addressing the terms of the JSB and the Peace Agreement has greatly hindered the ABG’s drive as everything regarding the referendum must be carried out in agreement with the National Government.
Despite these setbacks the President was pleased with the momentum displayed by the ABG’s Department of Peace Agreement Implementation in its referendum preparedness.
“Inspite of these seemingly dark times I call on the people of Bougainville to focus on the noble ambition of self-determination and to commit to achieving our ultimate goal,” Momis said.
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