Inception Workshop for Koiari on 22nd October 2015

A large crowd of more than seventy people from Koiari Local-level Government (LLG) gathered at Kokoda Trail Hotel on 22nd October 2015. The participants included prominent figures such as Mr Edward Kila (Deputy Provincial Administrator of Central Province), Honourable David Ogi (Council President of Koiari LLG), ward councillors, clan leaders and women representatives. This large number of participants in the workshop was the first of this kind in Koiari.

The workshop was part of activities under the five-year project of the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA)-JICA team. It comes under the ‘Activites 2-5' of the Project Design Matrix (WORD/113KB) : ‘Enhance local livelihood activities in Koiari Local-level Government (LLG) for contributing biodiversity conservation of Varirata National Park (VNP) and its landscape by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.' Thus the primary purpose of the workshop was to address "Role Sharing, Benefit Sharing and Livelihood Development in Koiari LLG".

Lively gathering went on all day. Encouraging speeches by community leaders, informative presentations by CEPA officers, and above all, discussion sessions among community participants enabled all stakeholders to share common understanding of (1) the role and responsibility of Development Plans; (2) what people expect and need for Development Plans; (3) potential ways for local communities to participate and role-share for VNP management; (4) what benefit to be shared with Koiari from the VNP management; and (5) the way for local communities on how to take part in the VNP management as a livelihood development option.

The workshop ended with a high note mixed with bright expectations and sober realisation of challenges ahead. Overall, all the participants enjoyed sharing their ideas and feelings toward the common goal of protecting their precious natural environment in Koiari while improving their life therein. The workshop was reported in the national newspaper Post-Courier on 28th October 2015 (PDF/35KB)