Matilda Koma - Papua New Guinea - PWYP International Conference 2009

Ms. Matilda Koma is the Founder and Executive Director of PWYP member organization the Centre for Environmental Research & Development (CERD), a local environmental NGO in Papua New Guinea that advocates for community rights and the environment relating to extractive industries, particularly mineral development projects.

Ms. Koma is an Environmental Scientist holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Chemistry from the PNG University of Technology and a Post-graduate Diploma Certificate in Process & Chemical Engineering from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Ms. Koma has 20 years of work experience in the field of mining and environment specialising in water quality investigations and monitoring, natural resource policy research and community empowerment related work. Ms.Koma worked as Scientist for 9 years with the Paua New Guinea Department of Environment and Conservation, for 3 years with private manufacturing industries as a Quality Control Chemist and 8 years as an Environmental Advocate with PNG national Environmental Groups.