Civil society celebrates unity in diversity
The civil society of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) began this year on a high note with a peace oriented festival celebration.
The not-for-profit festival, known as the ‘Yumi Wan Festival- Unity in Diversity’, united the youth and elderly who performed contemporary and traditional dances, songs and music from the three regions of Bougainville: North, South and Central.
Key leaders from the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and former combatants, who are very vocal about the 2019 walk towards referendum, were present to witness the three-day event at Bel Isi Park in Buka town.
Member for Tonsu Constituency Hon Ezekiel Massat, Member for Selau Hon Joseph Watawai, Deputy Speaker Hon Fransica Semoso, Member for Tsitalato Constituency Hon Fidelis Semoso and representatives for the former combatants Ishmael Toroama and Chris Uma and others were present to celebrate peace in the region.
Minister for Public Service and the Acting President Hon Raymond Masono congratulated every Bougainvillean for maintaining peace in the region.
Hon Masono officially declared the festival open on Wednesday with remarks on the theme ‘Unity in Diversity.’
The region wasn’t peaceful fifteen to twenty years ago and unity is still a pressing issue for Bougainville, Masono said.
“We can celebrate the progress that we have made…since the signing of the Burnham declaration of the peace development in 1997 and the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001.”
“It is only appropriate that such important milestones are recognized and celebrated because it is through the collective efforts of every citizen including leaders, past and present that we have come this far.”
Masono urged for peace and unity to be treasured and embraced at a time where it is a very scarce commodity throughout the world. “Peace is not only scarce it is also sacred so we must protect it with our life when we have it.” Without peace, communities and regions will not prosper or progress, he added.
Masono also applauded the organizing committee for initiating the festival.
The festival is an initiative of local groups and churches who planned the event to maintain peace in the region. In the last couple of months there have been some serious law and order issues, thus this festival sought a return to normalcy and also to remind people of the region’s preparation and journey to the June 15, 2019 referendum.
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