Trinity alumnus heads Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Friday 1 May 2009
A recent graduate of the Trinity College Theological School, the Very Revd Dr Sam Ata (TC 2002) has been appointed Chair of the newly established Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Solomon Islands.
Launched earlier this week by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu during his official state visit to the Solomon Islands, the Commission has been set up to help bring peace to communities still divided after five years of civil unrest.
Father Ata – whose appointment was announced by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua – was a student of Trinity College Theological School from 2002 until mid-2007, when he graduated with a Doctorate of Theology (DTheol). For much of that time he was in residence at Trinity and, during the later years of his study, was also an Associate Research Fellow of the Theological School.
The Warden of Trinity College, Associate Professor Andrew McGowan, believes Father Ata is a fine appointee for this hugely important task.
'Like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who took the equivalent role in South Africa, Dr Ata is man of humility and deep spirituality whose commitment to his own people is more than just a formal appointment. We assure him of our prayerful support in the difficult but hopeful work of addressing the pain left behind by the "tensions" in the Solomons', he said.
Last year Father Ata returned to his homeland and became Dean of the Saint Barnabas Cathedral in the capital, Honiara. He has been calling on the government to investigate the root causes of the ethnic tension that has troubled the country.
The creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will enable Solomon Islanders to speak publicly about
the violence they experienced during a period of social
disturbance and conflict between 1998 and July 2003.
It is an independent body, comprising three national and two international commissioners. In addition to Father Ata of Solomon Islands, the Commissioners are Sofia Macher of Peru (Deputy Chair); George Kejoa of Solomon Islands; Carolyn Laore of Solomon Islands; and Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi of Fiji.
Financial and technical support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been provided by a number of contributors, including the Governments of Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand; the European Commission; the International Centre for Transitional Justice; the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; and the United Nations Development Programme.