Indonesian Church Council Convenes Pre-Symposium in Papua to Map Humanitarian Crisis

MANOKWARI, Indonesia — The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) convened a pre-symposium this week in Manokwari, West Papua, bringing together religious leaders, government officials and academics to develop a data-driven framework for addressing longstanding humanitarian challenges in Papua.

The four-day forum, held from April 27 to 30, is intended as a precursor to a national symposium scheduled for August. Organized by PGI’s research and Papua bureaus, the gathering seeks to produce a systematic mapping of humanitarian issues in the region — an effort participants described as urgently needed amid protracted conflict and social inequality.

The meeting opened with a worship service led by the Rev. Dr. Tandi Randa of the GPKAI Synod, who invoked a passage from the Book of Nehemiah to frame the चर्च’s role in responding to suffering.
“The lament calls the church not to look away from the reality of pain still experienced by the people today,” he said.

Organizers emphasized that a comprehensive understanding of Papua’s challenges requires both empirical data and cross-sector collaboration.
“We need a mapping that is systematic, evidence-based and inclusive of multiple perspectives,” said the Rev. Dr. George Rumbekwan, chair of the organizing committee.

Government officials echoed that view. Rheinhard Calvin Maniagasi, head of the West Papua Agency for National Unity and Politics, said the complexity of Papua’s problems defies isolated solutions.
“A sectoral approach is no longer sufficient. Strong data and collective action are essential,” he said.

The Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon, deputy general secretary of PGI, described the forum as an attempt to integrate pastoral data, theological reflection and academic analysis.
“The humanitarian situation in Papua demands a collective response involving the church, the state, scholars and civil society,” she said.

Lectures on the opening day underscored the breadth of the issues at stake. Johni Jonatan Numberi, a member of Indonesia’s National Energy Council, examined Papua’s strategic role in the country’s energy transition and geopolitics. Agus Sumule, an academic at the State University of Papua, traced the roots of the crisis to historical conflict, uneven development and resource governance.

Participants included representatives of member churches, universities, nongovernmental organizations, journalists and security officials. The event was formally inaugurated with the striking of a tifa, a traditional Papuan drum, symbolizing unity and collaboration.