Peacifica is a peacebuilding NGO that engages in research, advocacy and peacebuilding activities for peacebuilding and conflict prevention in the Pacific region. Building peaceful societies is a central and underappreciated challenge in our region. Peacifica launched in January 2016 and focuses its work on Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
The problem
Two decades into the 21st century, the world is becoming less peaceful. Violent conflict is on the rise internationally and tensions between the world's 'great powers' are increasing. The numbers of people displaced by conflict have grown massively and the global system led by the United Nations is struggling to fulfil its mandate, as the diplomatic conventions that support it are eroding.
On top of this, the climate emergency compounds other threats to peace as competition over natural resources increases, weather patterns change and people are forced from their homes - and into spaces occupied by other people. The twin challenges of increasing violence and climate change risk undoing decades of steady developmental progress.
When Peacifica was founded we described these challenges as affecting people on the margins. But as we have learned more and as the world has changed, the need to prevent conflict and build peace has moved much more into the centre. Even in seemingly peaceful communities, the legacies of past conflicts linger and other forms of violence, notably against women and children, can be prevalent.
In addition, there are many places, including in our region, where violence is overt. There is so much to do: stop wars, mediate disputes, get access to justice, respond to climate change and giver voice to the concerns of marginalised and vulnerable people.
Conflict in the Pacific islands
This full spectrum of issues is present in Pacific Islands countries. Papua New Guinea is beset by overt violence. Solomon Islands is contending with the legacy of its own past violence. Independence struggles flare up in a number of countries. Across the region, gender violence and the climate crisis are huge problems. Of course, Pacific islander people themselves are working hard to deal with them - but building peace requires that we all work together.
In Australia we don't tend to look at our region through a peacebuilding lens. A small number of organisations do a lot of hard work with very limited resources, and the Australian Government is only now starting to reprioritise peacebuilding in its aid program. Peacebuilding in Australia needs a stronger presence, a stronger voice and more resources.
Why Peacifica?
Peacifica is a new voice for peace in – and from – our region. We are small, lean and flexible; a partnership of specialists from our neighbours and from Australia uniting under one banner.
Peacifica develops partnerships with local peacebuilding organisations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, offering a new way for Australians to support change in our region. We are working to make sure that the Australian Government puts peace at the heart of its aid program. We are a focused and informed voice on peace and stability issues, ensuring that they are better represented globally. We put peace in our region first.