The Teoumaville Peace and Security Program is a community-led initiative established by the Teoumaville Community Council of Chiefs to strengthen peace, safety, and community governance within the Teoumaville area of Efate Island, Shefa Province, Republic of Vanuatu.
As the community continues to grow, maintaining peace, public safety, and effective community governance has become increasingly important. The program combines traditional leadership, community participation, and collaboration with national institutions, including the Vanuatu Police Force, to ensure that Teoumaville remains a safe and peaceful place for all residents.
The Peace and Security Program focuses on:
strengthening community governance through customary leadership
preventing conflict and promoting peaceful dispute resolution
improving community safety through local patrols and cooperation with police
enforcing community bylaws that guide responsible behavior
improving safety infrastructure such as solar street lighting
promoting awareness of community responsibilities and peaceful living
Through this integrated approach, the program promotes social harmony, accountability, and community resilience.
The Teoumaville Peace and Security Program operates through a community governance system led by the Council of Chiefs and supported by community institutions.
The system includes four main components:
Community Bylaws
Community Safety Team (CST)
Community Court
Community Safety Infrastructure
Together, these mechanisms help maintain peace, prevent conflict, and ensure community cooperation.
The Teoumaville Community Council of Chiefs, in consultation with community leaders, women representatives, youth representatives, and residents, has adopted a set of community bylaws to promote peace, safety, and responsible community living.
These bylaws provide clear guidance on acceptable behavior and help prevent disputes within the community.
The bylaws address areas such as:
• maintaining peace and respect within the community
• responsible alcohol consumption
• preventing violence and public disturbances
• protecting women and vulnerable persons
• maintaining public cleanliness and community spaces
• regulating nighttime noise and disruptive behavior
• protecting community infrastructure
The bylaws are enforced by the Community Safety Team (CST) under the authority of the chiefs.
Minor violations may be addressed through:
warnings
mediation by chiefs
referral to the Community Court
Serious offenses are referred to the Vanuatu Police Force.
All residents must treat one another with respect and avoid abusive language, threats, or behavior that may cause conflict.
Violence, intimidation, or threatening behavior within the community is strictly prohibited.
Public disturbances caused by fighting, loud arguments, or disorderly behavior are not permitted.
Alcohol consumption must be conducted responsibly.
Public drinking in roads, pathways, and community gathering areas may be restricted by the chiefs.
Individuals who become intoxicated and create disturbances may be brought before the Community Court.
Excessive noise late at night that disturbs community members is not permitted.
The chiefs may introduce temporary curfews if necessary to maintain peace and security.
Harassment, intimidation, or abuse toward women, children, elderly persons, or vulnerable individuals is strictly prohibited.
Family disputes that threaten community peace may be referred to mediation.
Damage or vandalism of community infrastructure such as water systems, solar lights, roads, or community buildings is prohibited.
Residents are expected to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment.
Decisions made by the Council of Chiefs and the Community Court must be respected.
Residents are expected to comply with all community bylaws.
The Community Safety Team (CST) is a group of trained community volunteers who support peace and security within Teoumaville.
The CST operates in partnership with the Vanuatu Police Force through the national Community Policing Program.
The CST serves as a bridge between the community, traditional leadership, and the police.
Key responsibilities include:
• conducting community patrols
• supporting chiefs in enforcing community bylaws
• assisting in conflict prevention and mediation
• reporting serious incidents to the police
• promoting safety awareness within the community
By maintaining a visible presence within the community, the CST helps prevent conflict and supports peaceful living.
The Teoumaville Community Court provides a local system for resolving disputes through customary mediation and restorative justice principles.
The court is led by chiefs and respected community leaders.
Its primary objective is to restore harmony between individuals and families while maintaining peace within the community.
The Community Court may address disputes such as:
• minor conflicts between neighbors
• family disputes affecting community peace
• minor violations of community bylaws
• disputes involving community behavior
• minor property disagreements
Serious criminal matters are referred to the Vanuatu Police Force.
A dispute may be reported to a chief, CST member, or community leader.
The issue is recorded and brought to the attention of the Council of Chiefs.
Before a formal hearing takes place, chiefs may attempt informal mediation between the parties.
Many disputes are resolved during this stage.
If mediation does not resolve the issue, a Community Court session may be held.
During the hearing:
both parties explain their concerns
witnesses may provide information
chiefs facilitate dialogue and discussion
The goal is to reach understanding and reconciliation.
Possible resolutions include:
• apology and reconciliation
• mediation agreements
• community service
• compensation for damages
• formal warning
The focus is on restoring relationships rather than punishment.
The Community Safety Team may monitor compliance with the decision and ensure agreements are respected.
The Peace and Security Program also focuses on improving physical safety within the community.
One major initiative is the Solar Community Lighting Project, which aims to improve nighttime safety across Teoumaville.
Poor lighting increases the risk of crime and limits the ability of community patrols to operate effectively.
Women, youth, and vulnerable groups are particularly affected by unsafe public spaces at night.
The solar lighting project proposes the installation of 60 solar-powered street lights in strategic locations across the community.
Priority areas include:
• main community roads
• pedestrian pathways
• gathering spaces
• locations identified by the Community Safety Team as safety risk areas
Solar lighting provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution that does not rely on electricity grid infrastructure.
The program also promotes community education and awareness on peacebuilding and responsible community behavior.
Awareness activities focus on:
• understanding community bylaws
• peaceful conflict resolution
• crime prevention
• gender-based violence prevention
• strengthening cooperation within the community
These activities involve chiefs, youth leaders, women representatives, CST members, and community residents.
The Peace and Security Program works closely with the Vanuatu Police Force through the national Community Policing Program.
This partnership ensures coordination between:
traditional leadership
community safety initiatives
formal law enforcement
Serious criminal matters are referred to the police and handled under national law.
The governance system that supports peace and security in Teoumaville can be summarized as follows:
Council of Chiefs
↓
Community Bylaws
↓
Community Safety Team (CST)
↓
Community Court
↓
Vanuatu Police Force
This structure ensures cooperation between traditional leadership, community institutions, and national law enforcement.
The long-term vision of the Teoumaville Peace and Security Program is to create:
• a safe and peaceful community
• strong local governance led by chiefs
• effective collaboration between communities and police
• a culture of dialogue, mediation, and respect
By combining customary leadership, community participation, and sustainable safety infrastructure, the program seeks to build a resilient and well-governed community for current and future generations.