Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The challenges of rural development in PNG

Inequalities in Developing Rural Communities in Papua New Guinea - A Pangia Perspective
Author Stanley Kuli Liria

As a Third World country, rural development is a major concern in Papua New Guinea.
The Constitution, through goal Nos. 1 and 2 of the national goals and directive principles (NGDPs), provides for equal development for every individual and every society.
Government policies and development framework such as the medium term development strategies (MTDS), and the provincial and district development plans provide the platform to enhance visions for rural development embraced in Goal Nos. 1 and 2 of the NGDPs.
In that respect, the focus for rural development is founded on the Constitution, and therefore, it is an important sector.
However, whether rural development plans in the form of MTDS or provincial and district development plans are implemented to achieve their purposes depend first and foremost on the leaderships provided at various levels of our government and administrative structures.
They must take the lead to budget for and implement the plans which will start up rural development.
Ad hoc approaches are not only destructive for initiatives for properly-planned rural development pathways, but are more likely to disorient social order in the rural communities.
Inequalities in Developing Rural Communities in Papua New Guinea – a Pangia Perspective, a new book by author and lawyer Stanley Liria, presents an analysis of challenges in rural development in PNG with respect to the Wiru society of Pangia in Southern Highlands Province.
It draws its analysis of development issues based on the author’s first hand field research and experiences.
Fittingly, the book will be launched by Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane, at Tunda Primary School in Pangia, Southern Highlands, next Friday, May 8.
“As in any traditional community in Papua New Guinea, the Wiru showcases the challenges rural development encounters due to the impacts of competitions in elections and the ‘bigman’ culture, conflicts between the customs and the introduced or Western cultures and the modern laws, influence of cultures and traditions on social relations, and aspirations of the people against realities in life,” Mr Liria says.
“It also reveals that while the elected leaders play a pivotal role in guiding rural development, the rural people must be willing to accept change in their communities because change of attitude by individuals to adopt fair and equal relations in family or community is a positive path for rural development.
“Through its analysis and observations reached for the Wiru society, it poses a challenge to those concerned with rural development.
“This book should therefore be of special interest to district and provincial administrators, planners, development partners, leaders, researchers and school children or any one concerned with rural development.”
Stanley Kuli Liria comes from Tunda village of Pangia in SHP.
He is a practicing lawyer and principal of Liria Lawyers.
He has a bachelor of laws degree with honours from the University of PNG in 2000 and got admitted as a lawyer in 2001.
He has also practiced law with established law firms based in Port Moresby.
Mr Liria is a member of the upper secondary legal studies subject advisory committee for the newly-introduced subject of legal studies course for upper secondary school students in PNG.
Apart from engaging in legal practice, he has shown special interest in research and writing on issues affecting PNG communities.
His writing is aimed at educating majority of the less-educated Papua New Guineans to appreciate their rights, freedoms, obligations and values in society which seem marginalised by the growing desire for rural development and relations in society.
He is also the author of A Law Awareness for Papua New Guinea – Our Guide to the Rule of Law, which was published in December 2004.
The 200-page book is on sale for K100 from publisher Niugini CrossRoads Ltd, P.O Box 82, Konedobu, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea, telephone + (675) 321 0616, mobile + (675) 6907536, facsimile + (675) 321 0463, and email ncrossroads@datec.net.pg or lirialawyers@datec.net.pg.


Inequalities in Developing Rural Communities in Papua New Guinea – A Pangia Perspective
ISBN 13: 978 - 9980 - 86 - 091 – 0
Publication Date: 2009
Binding: Softcover
Written by STANLEY KULI LIRIA
Star Printers

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous2:55 PM

    congragulations, Mr. Liria for the contribution.

    Mathew yakai

    ReplyDelete