What We Do

Thanks to the support of one of our active MBBO corporate members Craig Jones from RREDD we have supported a field internship in the Cape York Indigenous community. Read on to discover the interesting journey of Paru Ikupu from Papua New Guinea (PNG).

His Applied Field Experience (AFE) took place in Cape York, Far North Queensland (Australia). This was made possible through Mediators Beyond Borders Oceania in partnership with RREDD, an indigenous-led community-based organization. The AFE comprised Mediation Training and an Observation and Analysis role in mediation practices with the Aurukun Indigenous Community Justice Group. The highlight of his AFE was being certified as a Mediator, accredited by the National Mediator Accreditation System. Paru is indebted to MBBO and RREDD for the opportunity to work with the indigenous community where he now has insights into community and culturally appropriate conflict management practices through mediation. 

Paru is grateful to Rotary International and the global Rotarian members for this opportunity of a lifetime to learn under the Rotary International Peace Fellowship.

Earlier this year, Claire Holland participated in an integrated livelihoods program with researchers from James Cook University. As part of the project Claire designed a 2-day facilitation training through MBBO and delivered the training to local research partners in the Solomon Islands. The training participants were thrilled with the content and delivery and received certificates of participation on behalf of MBBO. Some of the participants were able to put their facilitation skills into practice later that week with a number of meetings being held across remote islands designed to support local communities consider their readiness for climate change related alterations to their lifestyles and livelihoods.

This month Craig Jones and Claire Holland met with Murrumu Walubara, Foreign Affairs & Trade Minister, Renewable Energy Minister, Communications & Broadband Minister, Financial Technology Minister for the Yidindji Government in the government offices in Gimuy-Cairns. 

In November the inaugural International Indigenous Justice & Peace Convention (IIJPC) will be hosted by the Sovereign Yidindji Nation. The convention is focused on co-designing a new way forward to improve the relationship between indigenous peoples and states in the interests of justice and peace. The convention will include presentations from academics, legal and conflict resolution practitioners, representatives from the Australian Government and the Sovereign Yidindji Government.  Craig and Claire will present at the IIJPC convention.

In early June 2021, Craig Jones (RREDD, MBBO) and Claire Holland (JCU, MBBO) will run National Mediation Accreditation training on behalf of the Australian Mediation Association, as part of the Cape York Partnership with Indigenous leaders from Aurukun, Hope Vale and Cairns. The training is aimed at empowering community leaders in Cape York to run appropriate co-designed conflict resolution processes in their communities. Throughout the workshop the leaders and the trainers shared stories and designed role plays that reflected the realities of conflict in Aurukun and Hope Vale. Congratulations to the participants who also received NMAS accreditation on the final day of the workshop.