Today, in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman launched the Peace Project, which will empower PNG communities to prevent and resolve conflicts peacefully, address gender-based violence and inequity, and ensure PNG communities are supported by more accountable, responsive, and transparent local institutions.
The Peace Project is USAID’s flagship activity under the ten-year plan to implement the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) in PNG. This plan reinforces our growing partnership with, and long-term commitment to, the most populous, diverse, and resource-rich Pacific Island country. By funding and supporting projects that include peacebuilding training, community dialogues, conflict analysis, and civic engagement programs. The Peace Project will strengthen community capacity to peacefully respond to violence and conflict – especially against women – support sustainable and equitable livelihood opportunities, and improve community mediation and justice systems. Other interventions will include, but will not be limited to, capacity-building for communities and civil society organizations and support for increased access to finance and services for improved economic livelihoods.
The United States’ SPCPS, a joint effort by the U.S. government and partners to address the root causes of violence and to build durable inclusive peace, represents a whole-of-government approach by the United States. The Peace Project will be implemented in conjunction with complementary programs from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, and other U.S. and PNG government partners.