UNESCO supports Pacific History Conference at University of Goroka

Secretary General of UNESCO Yori Yei (left) presenting K5, 000 to acting Vice Chancellor Dr Jeyarathan with Pacific History Conference organising committee chairman Dr Kari and Paul Peter,  manager for culture at UNESCO,  looking on.

 By KATE GUNN of UOG

On Tuesday June 29, 2010, UNESCO country office honoured its commitment to history and cultural studies in Papua New Guinea by supporting Pacific history. 

Secretary General of UNESCO in Papua New Guinea Yori Yei travelled to the University of Goroka to present in person K5, 000 to the acting Vice Chancellor Dr P Jeyarathan.

  The donation is to assist the university with its fundraising efforts for the Pacific History Conference to be held at UOG in September of this year. 

After attending the National Dance Symposium held at UOG in April of this year, Yei was asked if UNESCO could support the up-and-coming Pacific History Conference.

 He stated that: “This is an important conference and UNESCO is happy to support it as it is in line with the education and culture policies of UNESCO.”

 Yei said UNESCO was supporting other institutions around PNG in an ongoing programme focusing on partnerships.

 “UNESCO recognises the step UOG is taking with Pacific history as part of cultural studies and is happy to partner with the University of Goroka for the conference,” he said.

Dr Jeyarathan sincerely thanked Yei for UNESCO’s contribution to the conference and support to UOG, and formally invited representatives from the organisation to attend the Pacific History Conference in September. 

Chair of the conference organising committee Dr Sam Kari was also on hand to witness the donation, and thanked Yei for UNESCO’s donation and agreed it was an important step in the partnership for the two organisations.

The Pacific History Conference will take place from Sept 12-16, 2010 at UOG and is co-hosted by the Pacific History Association.

 The theme of the conference is: Pacific at the Crossroads – reflecting the past, adjusting the present and directing the future.

For further information or to donate/support the conference please contact Dr Sam Kari on (675) 5311842 or karis@uog.ac.pg or Bomai Witne on (675) 5311895 or witneb@uog.ac.pg