A bold step towards peace and conflict resolution has emerged in the nation’s capital Port Moresby city that focusses on communities working together. The community-based organization, Port Moresby Hevi Toktok, was established in 2023 by founder Mr. Ricky Narewec and aims to address violence and conflicts by equipping communities with essential problem-solving and conflict management skills. Registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA), the initiative is rooted in Narewec’s experience working with community leaders in dispute resolution at the Morobe Block Settlement. His vision is to empower grassroots communities where violence and conflicts range from ethnic clashes to sorcery-related violence that are prevalent, with the right tools to address these issues. "The level of violence and its devastating impacts on families, clans, and tribes is unprecedented," said Narewec. "It disrupts lives, displaces communities, and brings about anxiety, chaos, and poverty. Addressing these issues requires proactive measures at the community level." Conflicts often spiral out of control due to a lack of formal systems or skills for non-violent resolution. While institutions like the police and village courts provide some support, they rarely reach the grassroots level, leaving families and informal groups unequipped to handle disputes. "We believe that problem-solving and conflict management are essential life skills that everyone should have," Narewec explained. "These skills are as fundamental as cooking or carpentry. If we can empower people to manage conflicts safely and non-violently, we can create stronger, more resilient communities," he added. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok targets several areas of conflict, including family and gender-based violence, sorcery-related violence, political and election-related violence, criminal violence, and tribal conflicts. The organization advocates integrating conflict management education into the school curriculum to build a conflict-resilient younger generation. "Teaching these skills in schools will empower our children to resolve disputes and conflicts as they grow. This proactive approach can cultivate a generation of peacemakers and problem-solvers, reducing the number of troublemakers in our communities." Mr. Narewec emphasized. So far, the organization has conducted seven awareness sessions across three settlement communities in Port Moresby, with plans to expand its outreach to schools and other community groups throughout Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok also aligns its mission with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions. By providing communities with tools for peaceful dispute resolution, the organization contributes to the broader vision of global peace and justice. "Our work supports SDG 16 by enabling communities to build strong institutions through peace and justice. Peaceful communities create a foundation for prosperity, not just locally, but nationally," said Narewec. The organization is self-funded and calls for support from individuals, development organizations, and corporate donors to sustain its mission. "Peacebuilding is a collective responsibility and we all prosper in peaceful communities, so we need everyone’s support,” he concluded. Port Moresby Hevi Toktok remains committed to fostering peace and conflict resolution in communities, offering hope for a more harmonious and prosperous Papua New Guinea.