“It impresses me to see the changes in the mindset of the people in communities where IOM worked", Conflict Affected Areas Welcome Community Peace for Development Training

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is delivering a 5-day training on Community Peace and Development Planning (CPDP) to Community Facilitation Teams (CFTs) from identified conflict-affected communities of Guala, Kikita and Tigibi in Hela Province, and Munihu, Pambel, Magi and Yame in Southern Highlands Province.

The CFTs’ training on CPDP has attracted 36 participants (21 men and 15 women) including representatives from the provincial, district and local level government from Hela and Southern Highlands. Funded by UN’s Peacebuilding Fund, the CFTs’ training on CPDP, which is predicated on a Training for Transformation methodology,  is part of the UN’s broader Highlands Joint Programme that is contributing towards creating conditions for peace in the Highlands. 

Speaking at the training venue in Mendi Town in Southern Highlands, Deputy Advisor for Community Development in Southern Highlands Provincial Government, Mr. Paul Yakira noted, “It impresses me to see the changes in the mindset of the people in communities where you [IOM] worked, assisting our people to develop their plans. I see the people volunteering and working together to sustain peace and develop their communities.”

A government representative participating in the training expressed his gratitude to the efforts of the UN through supporting several disaster-affected communities and fostering peace and normalcy in conflict-affected communities through various interventions.

The CFTs, with technical support of IOM and government (provincial, district and local level) will work with members of their communities to draft, finalize, and launch their Community Peace for Development Plans (CPDPs). The plans will incorporate the needs, vulnerabilities, priorities and aspirations of each community to proactively maintain peace and community stability, taking into account the national and international plans and priorities including the Sustainable Development Goals. The CPDPs will include complementary priority community development initiatives that will be operationalized with the support of IOM and partner agencies or other stakeholders.