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Meera Atkinson  Few roles are more important than that of the peacemaker. In the home, at work and in social situations we all strive for peaceful relations with those around us. However, there are those for whom peacemaking is done on a much larger scale. Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) operates in many countries, effecting peace and change.
On 2 October 2008, YAP leader Joy Balazo watched as seven years of hard work, passion and commitment paid off in the historic signing of peace treaties in Papua New Guinea.
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For generations, 32 warring tribes in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been stuck in a vicious cycle of violence, living as warriors and enemies; fighting, killing and plundering in chronic conflict that has severely limited development, tourism and progress in the region.
Joy Balazo is a former nun who coordinates YAP as a program of Uniting Church Overseas Aid (UCOA). She was nominated as 2008 Australian of the Year in recognition of her peacemaking work in the Asia Pacific region. Key to her strategy was the establishment and training of YAP cell groups in the Hela region of PNG. A series of planned mediations were successfully carried out with tribes signing temporary agreements to lay down their weapons and pay compensation for killings and destruction of property. “We started to plant the seeds of peace seven years ago in [the village of] Tari,” says Joy. “It was a struggle to transform people’s attitudes.” Hannah Hoskin, UCOA communications officer, accompanied Joy to PNG for the landmark Tari District Peace Agreement.  “These clans have been at war for so long that the sight of them walking unified brought hundreds of villagers out on the streets,” Hannah says, recalling the tribesmen's march under the hot sun through Tari, led by Joy and other YAP coordinators. "Children ran to get the best view, old ladies wept with joy, and many shook their heads in disbelief.”
This remarkable transformation has been brought about through the power of role modelling with people of faith leading the way. “We were in a cage,” says Gat Taliya of the Polepu tribe of Undipi (Tari) following one of the mediations that took place in the lead up to the signing of the treaty. “It was only once we talked through our conflict that we were set free.” Henry Henguari, of the Pujuro tribe, testifies to his change of heart. “Now I realise that taking up a gun is not good.” Joy says it’s a matter of showing people that change is achievable. “If people are given the place and are willing to take up the opportunity to understand and learn to respect people’s cultural, religious and political differences then I believe peace is always possible,” she says. Vera, another YAP coordinator, described the moving breakthroughs she witnessed during the mediations. “The warrior men break down into tears as they confront their conflict. It is a miracle in itself to watch them cry. Every one of them is broken.” Jacob Ten, a local policeman, also spoke of the remarkable developments in the area. “The conflicting parties came together and agreed to put a stop to the fighting. Together they can become friends, come to a conclusion and live in peace.”  In Tari, it is unheard of for a man to shake hands, share food or even make eye contact with an enemy — it is believed that this could kill them. So the sight of the former foes embracing each other before the whole village on the day of the peace agreement sent a message of real hope to the inhabitants of the Hela region.
The newfound peace is bringing about immediate changes including the re-opening of the school. Meanwhile the humanitarian medical aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres has been able to send volunteers to assist in restoring the hospital, which was previously little more than beds bound by a barb-wire fence. Joy says, “Pulling up the roots of conflict in war-torn societies like the Southern Highlands of PNG goes beyond simply downing weapons. Peace building involves fostering trust and a culture of peace.” YAP volunteers, who are also active in other hotspots like Indonesia and India, will continue to support the people of PNG by hosting ongoing reconciliation workshops.  “The workshops help people recognise the layers of fear and mistrust that have blocked the community's capacity to resolve conflict,” says Joy. “My vision is to change the attitudes of our young people.”
In guiding the youth of Tari, Joy and her YAP colleagues are helping to birth a new generation of role models and peacemakers, ensuring a peaceful future in Papua New Guinea.
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