Onomi Imea Papua(Front from left;Blue Shirt Beti,Novi,Pince,Mina,Siska. Selly Red shirt.Left yellow shirt stand;Sint,Yery black shirt,Samuel Pink Shirt. standing from the right;Lazarus,Ones,Patianus use Mask,Biho)
“It’s rare for us to host visitors in Papua,” says Selly with a bright smile. “That’s why we’re so excited to welcome friends from across the globe.”
Selly is part of Onomi Imea, the Alternatives to Violence Project team in Papua, a group consisting of mostly young volunteers who lead and facilitate peace practices and programs in their communities. Her excitement mirrors the growing anticipation felt by many of her teammates as the upcoming workshop draws near.
“It feels good to invite friends to join us!” Selly adds enthusiastically. “The Onomi Imea Team is ready and prepared to welcome everyone.” A local peace worker supported by Friends Peace Teams Asia West Pacific for over five years, Selly has grown into a seasoned community leader. She approaches people and communities with ease, confidence, and a genuine commitment to building peace.
As part of our preparations and consultations, we asked Papuans what this training means to them both personally and for their communities, and how they see its value and impact.
We need this training. The team shared their growing concern about the violence experienced daily in Papua.
Patianus, whose family lives close to where active fighting is taking place expressed it powerfully: “We need a safe space where people can come together, listen to each other, and solve problems together instead of hurting one another. We want to create a culture of peace and togetherness so that Papuans can live in harmony. ” He added that highlighting personal transformation is a key ingredient of peace, “I want to learn and share knowledge on how to build peaceful relationships, practice mutual respect, and honor differences,”
Beyond reducing violence, the training is also about strengthening bonds, staying connected and growing together as a community, so we can better face the challenges in Papua.
We are changed by the practice. The team appreciates how much they have been transformed by using these tools in their own lives. They want to share that experience with many others.
Beti and Mina, both participants who have now become facilitators, reflected on their personal journeys. They shared that they used to resort to violence to solve problems and struggled to manage their emotions. After attending the training, they have learned ways to solve problems nonviolently.
For Fani, the training provided “understanding and positive energy that fosters mutual development within the community and the team.” Sint also described it as a path to “acquire new habits that have a measurable impact on our lives.”
Patianus mirrored the sentiment “I want to start with myself first so that I can model the tools in how I live, in my family, in my community, and with my friends.”
Olivia from the US with Patianus and Beti during the 2024 RJPT in Peace Place Pati
Applications are now open for the 2026 Regional Practising Peace Workshop on January 21-28, 2026 near Jayapura City, West Papua, Indonesia.
We are also seeking scholarship donations for Papuan participants and travel expenses for facilitators. Please make a donation today to “AWP-AVP Regional Training.”
Go to Friends Peace Teams to donate online or to find wire transfer instructions.
For more information please contact AsiaDOTcoordinatorATfriendspeaceteamsDOTorg.
Mail cheques/checks designated to “AWP-AVP Regional Training” to:
Friends Peace Teams-AWP, 1001 Park Ave, St Louis, MO 63104
Friends Peace Teams-AWP, c/o EJ Drexler, 5/5 Que Court, Riverside, TAS 7250.
Friends Peace Teams-Europe, Thurlibeer, Stratton, Bude, Cornwall EX23 9NP
Onomi Imea Team practicing good listening and good speaking as they do concentric circles. (Photo: Selly)