In May and June 2008 the third Creators of Peace circle in the Solomon Islands took place in the capital Honiara.

From 1999-2003 a civil war, known as the ethnic tensions, broke out between two main groups, those from Guadalcanal and Malaita. Several different militia groups were fighting each other on Guadalcanal as well as the Malaitans. It was a terrible time for the women as homes and villages were burnt, young men with guns demanded extortion money, people were killed and property stolen.

Some of the third Creators of Peace circle participants

During this peace circle these women for the first time told their stories of what they had lived through during those years. They spoke of the deep and continuing need for forgiveness and reconciliation so that the country can move forward. As we looked at the case studies of women peacemakers, particularly the stories of Marj Tucker of Australia and Alice Wedega of Papua New Guinea, the issue of blackbirding was raised - from the 1860s to 1904 South Sea Island indentured labour was recruited - often by kidnapping - from Pacific Islands to work in the sugar plantations of Queensland. This is a chapter of our region's history which needs to be faced.

[Jane Mills is based in Sydney and she and her husband visited the Solomon Islands for 6 weeks at the request of local people.]