International Conference on Papuan Cultural Diversity

In The Mosaic Of Indonesian Cultures

Main Organiser           : Government of the Province of Papua

In collaboration with : The Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, UNDP Indonesia,      UNESCO Office, Jakarta

D a t e                      : 8 - 11 November 2010 (Conference: 8 - 10 November, Excursion: 11 November 2010)

V e n u e                      : Governor’s office in Jayapura, Province of Papua, Indonesia

Background and Context

Papua (Papua, in this text, refers to the whole western half of the island of New Guinea, which consists of the Provinces of Papua and Papua Barat of Indonesia.) is home to a vast diversity of around 250 ethnic and linguistic groups, whereby each group has its own characteristics, traditions and specificities. This vast cultural diversity manifests itself as either tangible or intangible cultural heritage. Tangible heritage includes, but is not limited to, the material culture of livelihoods, transportation and architecture; while intangible heritage encompasses language, spirituality, norms and values, social organisation, and local knowledge. The richness of Papuan cultural diversity results in part from creative strategies of the Indigenous Papuans to dynamically adapt to both natural and social environments. From an anthropological point of view, the indigenous people of Papua belong to the Melanesian cultural area, which stretches from Maluku and Nusatenggara in the west over the island of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands as far to the east as Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. The people within this area share close common genetic and cultural traits.

The indigenous people of Papua are presently confronted with several challenges and concerns due to many factors such as urbanisation, migration, employment mobility and globalisation. As a consequence, most of the 250 cultural groups and languages are now in danger of disappearing. Thus, the Government of the Province of Papua calls for concrete actions to preserve the cultural diversity and identities of indigenous Papuans. This includes the support of indigenous knowledge, local values and diverse cultural expressions, for the sustainable development of Papua. This view is in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression, which states that cultural diversity can play a positive role in enriching development processes. Cultural diversity is thus seen as a fundamental condition for development - which not only includes economic growth, but intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual development as well.

Objectives of the Conference

Core Objectives:

-     To fully acknowledge and appreciate the cultural diversity of Papua

-     To strengthen the protection, conservation, and promotion of Papuan cultural heritage in all its forms - tangible and intangible, movable and immovable

-      To promote dialogue among neighbouring countries and regions

-    To create a set of recommendations, principles and actions for consideration at both national and regional/provincial levels

The main objectives of this International Conference on Papuan Cultural Diversity are to identify key concerns and suggest necessary actions to local governments. These will be discussed and decided in close consultation with stakeholders, national and international experts, and relevant UN development agencies. Ultimately, through harnessing Papua’s rich cultural diversity, the meeting will contribute to the development of a stable, sustainable economy.

Conference Structure

The topics of the conference will be divided into four themes:

1.   Papuan Cultural Diversity in a Melanesian Cultural Context

The aim of theme 1 is to share lessons learned from successful programmes for safeguarding Melanesian cultural diversity. Papua’s vast diversity and uniquely heterogeneous cultural practices will be highlighted. Papuan cultural elements will be presented in their Melanesian context, and extensive comparisons between greater Melanesia and Eastern Indonesia will be made.

2.  Traditional Papuan Values, Local Knowledge, and Development

This theme aims at discussing the Indigenous Papuan values, traditions and beliefs that are conducive to sustainable development. This part additionally emphasises the importance of including local knowledge in development, which can add a sense of legitimacy and ownership to the process at hand. The speakers will share lessons-learnt from different regional experiences in which local values, cultural diversity and indigenous knowledge have been successfully employed in development. They will show where, why, and how the inclusion of local knowledge and values can contribute to the development of what the Governor Barnabas Suebu calls Papua Baru, or “The New Papua”, a vision for Papua based on a social justice and sustainable development.

3.    Papuan Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Challenges

Theme 3 deals with the various challenges currently facing Papuan, Melanesian and Indigenous Peoples. The rapidly diminishing cultural diversity of Papua indicates a lack of economic and cultural empowerment. This theme will identify not only current challenges, but at the same time, constructive and feasible solutions that will be offered to address these complex issues.

4.   Concrete Measures

Concrete, efficient and feasible measures (both developmentally and legally) must be taken in order to successfully protect the tangible and the intangible cultural heritage of Papua. The product of this conference will be an action plan for both the provincial Government of Papua and active development partners.

Each theme will consider both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, while elaborating upon measures to protect and promote the cultural diversity of Papua. Each part will be addressed by at least one Papuan speaker/local expert. Experts from other parts of Indonesia and Melanesia, as well as from other parts of the world, will also present their papers and share their experiences. The sessions of the Conference will include speakers from provincial governments, the central government, various public institutions, NGOs, ethnic and traditional groups, the private sector, UN agencies, and academic institutions.

Participants

It is estimated that 300 participants (including speakers and guests, around 80 participants from abroad) will participate in the conference. The participants are provided with event-related accommodation and transportation between the 6 – 12 November 2010.

Participants at the conference will include:

-      Academics/researchers specialising in Papuan and Melanesian cultures and languages

-     Representatives from culture and tourism departments in the Provincial Governments of Papua, Papua Barat, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Nusa Tenggara Barat;

-     Representatives from the National Governments of Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji; and of the territorial Government of New Caledonia

-      Representatives from traditional religious and cultural communities in Papua

-     Representatives from different Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in the Melanesian context

-      Experts in cultural heritage/knowledge management, and managers of cultural knowledge centres and museums

-      Experts who promote culture and tourism (including international travel agencies)

-      Media professionals

-      Ministers and ambassadors from relevant countries (Melanesian and/or donor countries)

Budget

The Government of the Province of Papua provides the necessary funds for the event.

Organizing Committee

Based on Governor Decree number 38, year 2010 (surat keputusan), the Government of Papua already formed an organising committee and a detailed organisation chart for the conference.