This volume had its genesis in a workshop held at The Australian National University in 2003 with a view to gaining a clearer understanding of the dynamics of politics, development and ongoing conflict in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The workshop was sponsored by the Centre for Conflict and Post-Conflict Studies, Asia Pacific and the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program within the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, and was supported by AusAID.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseeable events in Papua New Guinea several Southern Highlanders who had accepted invitations to the workshop were unable to attend, and several who did participate were unable to provide papers for the book. Other chapters in the volume were added after the workshop. Things move quickly in Papua New Guinea, and although some papers were updated prior to publication, inevitably some have been overtaken by the course of events. Notwithstanding this, we believe that the present collection provides a useful background to recent developments and conflicts in the Southern Highlands and offers some insights into the prospects for conflict resolution or minimisation.

The editors are grateful to AusAID for its support of the project, and to the various contributors for their inputs and patience. They would also like to thank David Hegarty, convenor of the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Program and Sue Rider, the Program’s executive officer. Technical support was efficiently provided by Warren Mayes.