THE Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has successfully involved community representatives directly in high-level climate mobility discussions, moving beyond just speaking for them.
Use of pastoral and prophetic approaches guided PCC accompaniment of communities through relocation decisions. The church’s role focuses on emotional and spiritual support during and after relocation, and this method helps balance technical relocation needs with community dignity and well-being.
“This marks a shift from Civil Society Organisation (CSO) advocacy to genuine community presence in decision-making; It strengthens the legitimacy and relevance of discussions by centring affected voices,” said PCC representative Frances Namoumou.
“The engagement supports a people-centred approach by enabling communities to actively contribute; this inclusion is expected to improve policy responsiveness and trust in relocation processes.’’
Namoumou said the approach channelled community concerns upward to regional and national policy forums, and this approach fosters trust and ongoing partnership between communities and institutions.
PCC has expanded its network by partnering with civil society organisations to fill expertise gaps and enhance relocation work.
“Strategic identification of expert partners like Transcend Oceania and the Pacific Centre for Building, PCC, recognises it is not always the expert in technical relocation issues,’’ Namoumou said.
“Partnerships bring needed technical skills and resources to the table, and these collaborations help elevate community concerns with credible, informed backing; this network approach increases the overall impact and scale of relocation programs.”
The PCC has found that building trust with institutions and CSOs enables better resource mobilisation and program rollout. Knowing partners’ mandates and resources helps align efforts effectively.
“Confidence in collaboration encourages sharing information and coordinated action; this also allows PCC to serve as a bridge connecting communities to broader support systems,’’ Namoumou said
“The strategy reduces duplication and increases efficiency in relocation responses.”
Community Participation and Theological Reflection
PCC’s work includes ensuring communities are aware of and involved in national consultations on relocation, enhancing their agency, and informing communities about policy discussions, such as the 2016-17 planned relocation guidelines.
Namoumou added that PCC takes the message from national forums back to villages to promote awareness; this helps communities understand and influence policies affecting them directly.
“It addresses the challenge of remote or marginalised groups being left out of policymaking; the inclusion fosters ownership and relevance of policies at the grassroots level.’’
Supporting communities to speak for themselves rather than only through the church intermediary encourages empowerment and direct representation in regional and national spaces.
“This shift reflects a move from passive subjects to active agents in relocation decisions; It challenges traditional church roles, requiring theological reflection and adaptation,’’ she said.
“This process improves the authenticity and sustainability of relocation solutions.’’
The PCC recognises the deep emotional and social impacts of relocation and is adapting its theology to better support communities; acknowledging fears, grief, and concerns is essential for meaningful community ownership.
Namoumou said spiritual and emotional support addresses the human side of forced movement and provides safe spaces for these discussions, enabling healing and empowerment.
“When communities are heard holistically, they engage more fully in shaping solutions; this reinforces a people-centred, humane approach to climate mobility.”