Leading our own development

TFT Papua is mandated to support practical, grassroots solutions to Papua’s complex development problems. These problems stem from an economic model designed to maximise growth through natural resource extraction. Conflict and environmental destruction is now a daily reality for many of our communities in Papua who have lost their land to extractive industry. These problems are now exacerbated by accelerating climate change.

TFT Papua is committed to solving these problems through a focus on human development, starting at village level. This focus on human development responds to the negative stigma inflicted by Papua’s long history of abusive governance and that has profoundly affected the collective psychology of indigenous communities.

This psychology is expressed in how so many in our communities lack confidence in their own abilities. It is compounded by government policies that encourage our communities to sell land for investment, and that have nurtured chronic dependency on subsidised rice and fiscal transfers. People find themselves trapped in deeper and deeper debt.

TFT Papua works to rekindle the creativity and motivation of our indigenous communities, as confident, self-reliant leaders of our own development, on our own land; as effective advocates for our social, economic and democratic rights; and, as guardians of our customary inheritance.

Rekindling our communities

TFT Papua works at the grassroots to rekindle the collective identity and spirituality of our indigenous communities as heirs to our land and sea; our motivation to work together in meeting our fundamental human needs, within ecological limits; and our ability to engage the outside world on our own terms.

TFT Papua is building a new generation of self-sufficient community organisations led by people who:

• Are grounded in community and in their ancestral land.
• Possess long-term vision and moral integrity.
• Uphold values rooted in society justice and democracy.
• Who are reflective and capable of critical analysis.
• Who can listen deeply and engage others in dialogue.
• Who can speak truth to power.

Becoming fully human

Our Vision

“In 2100, we will live freely, proud of our identity and way of life as the people of Papua. We will live in an environment which we own and care for together and from which – with the right technologies – we are able to meet the fundamental needs of each person, sustainably and without depending on others. We will have spiritual and cultural strength that emphasises the sacred connection between people and nature. We will live according to the principal that ‘we relate to nature in the same way as we relate to God’. People will live together harmoniously based on a relationship of mutual service, equality and justice. People will no longer oppress one another based on differences of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”

Our mission

Support dialogue between change agents at village level and in government to review and renew how decisions are made, and to safeguard the inheritance of indigenous Papuans so that they can meet their basic needs and protect the environment.

Ensure continuous action and reflection as an organisation and as an inseparable part of the process of social transformation.

Engage in processes of reflection and critical conscientisation among change agents at village level in order to raise awareness of their economic, political, social and cultural rights; and to exercise these rights in order to manage their own natural resources, renew their social relations, and change the way decisions are made within and between villages.

Support processes by which villages can work together to jointly control, restore and conserve their productive assets.

Strengthen the managerial capacity of community organisations at village level, both customary as well as modern.

TFT Papua works directly with grassroots communities, as equal partners in dialogue. TFT Papua’s role is to provide:

• A safe space for structured dialogue facilitated by qualified adult popular educators.
• Skills training responding to specific community innovations or advocacy efforts (e.g. financial literacy, environmental monitoring, rights education, revitalizing local food systems, marketing).
• Regular collective mentoring and reflection.
• Links to supporting government agencies and research institutions depending on community needs.

OUR POLICIES

1. TFT Papua works for the liberation of the marginalized and the oppressed. We stand with communities in their struggle against the many structural injustices that they face in their daily lives, and to build a more equitable and democratic society. We embody this commitment in our partnership principles.

2. Moral integrity is of utmost importance to TFT Papua. Where colonization has dismantled our societal values and has allowed corruption to take root, TFT Papua strives to be an example of accountable governance. We apply strict due diligence to prevent all forms of corruption and abuse of power in our organization, and ensure all decisions are taken in an open and transparent way.

3. TFT Papua is an inclusive organization. We reject all forms of discrimination. That commitment is reflected in our governance. TFT Papua’s decision-making structures accommodate all differences in religion, background, age, gender and ethnicity, and we respect their differing perspectives.