080213PANGUNA PEACE BUILDING STRATEGY
By Aloysius Laukai
As Bougainville puts past problems behind it and makes progress towards a peaceful, safe and prosperous future, there remains a need to reunite and heal divided communities.
This is the role of the Panguna Peace Building Strategy, a forward-looking reconciliation and mediation initiative for Panguna and its surrounds. It was set up by the Autonomous Bougainville Government in 2011, the Panguna Peace Building Strategy was initiated to help communities turn a new page; rise above the factionalism, divisions and suspicions that have done so much harm, and learn to trust each other again.  
The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Panguna Peace Building Strategy has the backing of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia, with AusAID providing K1.28 million to complement the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s funding commitment of K1 million.
A ceremony will be held on 12 February 2013 where the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish together with leaders from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and other dignitaries will officially launch the Panguna Peace Building Strategy significantly in Panguna where the seven year Bougainville Conflict began back in 1987. This groundbreaking event heralds a new beginning for the people of Panguna and surrounding areas who are keen to reconcile their factional differences and move forward to a bright and peaceful future. 
The Ceremony would be held at the Panguna Sports Oval between TEN AM and TWELVE MIDDAY.ENDS