Rugby captains in Bougainville have become ambassadors for peace building, the independence referendum and the United Nation's sustainble development goals.
Photo: Kim Allen/UNDP (PNG)
The ten captains, who will lead their teams during a rugby festival this weekend in Arawa, have partnered with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the UN Development Programme.
The UN's Kia-Henry Nema said it's the first time sport has been used as a vehicle to promote development in Bougainville.
"They've decide that they wanted to organise a rugby festival as a way to promote the sport, but also use the sport to make some awareness on the referendum as well as peace processes that the Bougainville government is doing and the sustainable development goals."
Mr Nema hopes Bougainville athletes from other sports join the programme to bring more youths into peace building and development activities.
