Steve Rick Elson Mara, known simply as Steve Mara, stands as a compelling figure among young Papua voices. A son of indigenous OAP (Orang Asli Papua) from Wamena, he now pursues doctoral studies in peace at University of Bradford in the United Kingdom by Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) scholarship. while leading the Melanesian Youth Diplomacy Forum (MYDIF) which was formed by him with 109 youth activist from cross-South Pacific countries in 2022. Alongside his academic journey, he has authored four books, including the English‑language work We All Want to Live Together, offering timely reflections on peace, identity, and national unity.
From Wamena to International Advocacy
Born in September 8, 1994 and raised in Wamena, the highland town of central Papua, Steve Mara carries a deeply personal connection to Papua’s ethnic diversity and historical struggle. His identity as an OAP roots him in a tradition of activism grounded in local experience. That intimacy with Papua’s cultural and political dynamics shaped his decision to pursue higher education abroad, first with local credentials and later postgraduate studies leading to a doctoral program in peace studies in University of Bradford the UK.
As head of the MYDIF, Mara represents Papua’s youth in regional gatherings. He has engaged international expert meeting in Europe during 2024, including visiting Oxford Town Hall in the UK where he highlighted Papua’s developmental progress and remaining infrastructure gaps. His leadership reflects a broader mission: to elevate youth voices in diplomacy and peace-building across Melanesia.
Academic Trajectory Toward Peace
Steve Mara earned his bachelor’s degree in law (S.H.) at Umel Mandiri Jayapura College of Law and a master’s degree in national defense (M.Han.) at the National Defense University (Universitas Pertahanan), focusing on peace and conflict resolution. Now enrolled in a doctoral program in peace studies at University of Bradford in the UK, his research builds upon his experience analyzing Papua’s social conflict, state defense systems, and youth empowerment.
His academic and activist roles intertwine: Mara has advocated for Papua students abroad, addressing controversies over repatriation of scholarship recipients and the need for better support systems for Papuan scholars overseas.
Four Books, Four Perspectives
Steve Mara has so far published four books, each offering a layered exploration of peace, national security, and Papua’s future.
1. “Kita Semua Mau Hidup Damai” (“We All Want to Live in Peace”) – his debut, written in Indonesian and published in 2022, which laid the foundation for his message of shared peace among diverse communities.
2. A biography about Matius Derek Fakhiri, former Papua Regional Police Chief, offering inspirational lessons on leadership and public service. This book consist 10 chapters and published in August 2024
3. “Catatan Anak Muda Papua Melihat Sistem Pertahanan Negara” (“Notes from Papua Youth on the State Defense System”), his third book published in April 2025. It comprises 21 essays analyzing Indonesia’s defense system through a fresh Papuan youth lens. He highlights challenges like misinformation propaganda, the role of youth in reserve or supporting defense components, and preparedness against internal and external threats to sovereignty.
4. We All Want to Live Together–an invitation to readers worldwide to understand his belief in inclusive peace. This book is English version from “Kita Semua Mau Damai” and published on July 27, 2025.
We All Want to Live Together: Synopsis and Themes
In We All Want to Live Together, Steve Mara presents a heartfelt narrative that intertwines hope, identity, and shared humanity. Written in English, the book is both deeply personal and widely accessible, inviting a global audience into the complex yet resilient world of Papua. Through its pages, Mara reflects on his upbringing in Wamena, where the communal harmony among Melanesian communities taught him powerful lessons about resilience, togetherness, and the quiet strength of coexistence. These personal stories ground the book in lived experience, offering authenticity that resonates far beyond academic analysis.
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. Mara explores episodes of social tension and conflict in Papua, contextualizing them with insights drawn from his scholarly background in peace and conflict studies. These reflections are not simply analytical—they are introspective, layered with the emotional gravity of someone who has witnessed the costs of division and longs for reconciliation.
At its core, the book is a vision of unity. The title, We All Want to Live Together, is more than a statement—it is a deeply held conviction. Mara believes that the desire for peaceful coexistence transcends ethnicity, geography, and politics. This belief forms the moral thread that ties together every chapter, reinforcing the idea that sustainable peace is not just a policy goal, but a universal human longing.
Youth empowerment is another central theme. Throughout the book, Mara challenges young Melanesians to see themselves as future architects of peace and progress. He urges them to engage critically with national defense, diplomacy, and development—not as passive recipients, but as active contributors who can shape these systems to uphold human dignity and justice.
Through this work, Mara masterfully bridges grassroots Papuan experience with academic theory. His narrative voice is warm yet incisive, blending personal testimony, policy critique, and social analysis into a single accessible text. We All Want to Live Together is not just a book—it’s a call to action and a testament to what’s possible when one dares to imagine a better, more unified future.
Impact: Between Advocacy and Academic Scholarship
Mara’s books and activism are more than personal milestones—they advance broader conversations on Papua’s role in Indonesia’s national narrative. His third book urges Papuan youth to engage proactively in sovereignty and national defense, countering misinformation and promoting civic participation. Meanwhile, We All Want to Live Together extends that message globally, showcasing Papua’s complexity and humanity to foreign (non-Indonesian) audiences.
As a Melanesian youth diplomat, Mara contributes to regional dialogue, linking Papua’s local struggles with Pacific nation-building and post-colonial identity formation. His presence at forums in Europe countries, and his leadership in MYDIF, demonstrate how diaspora young leaders can represent sub‑national communities on international stages.
The Man Behind the Message
Steve Mara’s personal story gives shape to his mission. Growing up in Wamena, he saw firsthand the effects of conflict, underinvestment, and marginalization. His educational trajectory—from Umel Mandiri Jayapura College of Law to postgraduate work in defense studies, and now doctoral research abroad—reflects a determined leap from local experience to global discourse.
Despite personal hardship—hinted at in interviews about a “difficult past” motivating his writing—he channels that into constructive output: writing books, giving talks, contributing opinion pieces, and building institutions like MYDIF and youth forums.
Looking Ahead: Diplomacy, Peace, and Sustainable Dialogue
Steve Mara’s ambition now is twofold: complete his PhD in peace studies, and ensure that his work translates into tangible impact in Papua and Melanesia. We All Want to Live Together sets a precedent—an English text rooted in Papuan reality, aimed at global readers, inviting them into a conversation about identity, coexistence, and policy.
He continues to write, analyze conflict, publish, and advise on student diplomacy, participating in media and international dialogue forums. His evolving portfolio—books, forums, policy commentary, and youth networks—positions him as both scholar and practitioner of peace.
Conclusion
Steve Rick Elson Mara’s journey from Wamena to the UK doctoral classroom, from local writer to international diplomat, embodies a new Papua narrative. Through four books, including We All Want to Live Together, and leadership at the Melanesian Youth Diplomacy Forum, he gives form to the conviction: we all want to live together—across ethnic lines, national borders, and political divides.
By blending academic rigor, narrative storytelling, and diplomatic outreach, Mara charts a path for Papua’s youth to engage the world, contribute meaningfully to Indonesian unity, and shape peaceful futures across Melanesia.