2002

18th February 2002
Papua New Guinea Justice and Peace Advocate to Visit the Hunter
A justice and peace advocate from the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea will visit the Hunter this week (Monday 18th February) as part of PROJECT COMPASSION, the Catholic Church's annual campaign for overseas aid and development.

Organised through parishes and schools by Caritas Australia, the Church's aid and development agency, PROJECT COMPASSION begins during the first week of Lent (February 13) and continues until Easter Sunday (March 31).

Mr Raymond Ton, who has worked for the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development in the Mendi Diocese, Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 1996, will meet with a variety of community groups when he visits the Hunter next week.

The aim of his visit is to raise awareness of the issues facing the people of PNG, and to inform the public of the ways in which Caritas Australia is changing people's lives and giving them new opportunities.

In his role with the Commission, Raymond works to build peace between the warring tribes in the Southern Highlands. As part of the Integral Human Development Program that Caritas Australia has been supporting for many years (in PNG), Raymond works for peace by having conversations, writing programs, walking for miles in the Highlands, teaching cajoling and encouraging warring and embittered highlanders.

For some tribes, the conflicts have been experienced over many generations - in these situations, the peace which comes from forgiveness has never been known. He is a remarkable advocate for peace, winning praise from all sides including government.

Raymond often risks death as he strives to bring an end to gun smuggling and the corruption and greed, which fosters and animates war and conflict.

A fantastic witness to the innate capacity that human beings have to look beyond the apparently 'fixed' horizon towards a better future, Raymond truly believes that peace is possible and he works impossible hours in order to achieve it!

Raymond is married with two children.

Raymond Ton will meet with school and parish communities at Abermain, Kurri Kurri, Sugarloaf, Forster and Waratah. He will also meet with representatives of the Worimi people at the Cabarita Community Centre in Forster.

Raymond's visit to the Hunter will begin on Monday 18th February, finishing on Thursday 21 February.

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