ABSTRACT
The chapter argues that participation in local reconciliation processes offers the greatest opportunity for resource companies caught up in conflict to make progress on their relationships with local communities. It explains how members of Bougainville appears to be hoping for a compensation deal that negotiates from a foundation of reconciliation. The chapter explores some of the potential peace building opportunities which BCL might consider if it were invites to return to Bougainville. The Papua peace conference marks the progress of unifying Papuan civil society and activist groups in the interest of resolving the multi-dimensional conflict. The chapter explains how top-down CSR fails companies and communities, with millions of dollars spent on community development projects. The chapter discusses the contemporary scenarios of resource development on Bougainville and West Papua, and argues that BCL, Freeport and BP are faces with important opportunities to participate in reconciliation processes, and shifts from a focus on top-down to bottom-up CSR.
