Lutheran women launch strategic plan

By Sanang Zazoring in Boana

WOMEN of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea this week launched their Five-Year Strategic Plan, complementing the National Government’s policy on government-church partnership and receiving the commendation and support of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

In a historic moment at Boana station during the opening of the 14^th Lutheran National Women’s Conference on Sunday, September 21, the plan was presented to O’Neill who received it on behalf of the Government. 
“I am happy to see such an initiative being taken by the Lutheran women in publishing such policy planning which emphasises key areas of human development to help and sustain women’s work and build the healthy community in Papua New Guinea,” he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated his earlier message delivered at the national synod in Karkar earlier this year when he said his government was always on the standby to work closely with churches and other non-government organisations in delivering services to the people of PNG.

 O’Neill also highlighted and commended the outcome of the plan in shaping families and strengthening the base of PNG communities through women’s empowerment. 

To show this support, the Prime Minister presented K200,000 to the ELC-PNG Women’s division to extend their work.

Previously, women’s work within the church was conducted ad hoc making this working document, which is aligned with the church’s Vision 2020 and the National Government’s Vision 2050, a strategic and timely guideline for women’s spiritual and physical growth within the church.

The plan carries six areas of emphasis with the goal of achieving integral human development. These are Spiritual Development, Physical Development, Economic Empowerment, Social Status and Liberation, Intellectual Capacity Building, and the Strengthening of the church’s Women’s division.

The strategic plan has come about as a result of years of consultative and planning work contributed by women of the church’s 17 districts.

In attendance at the opening and launch on Sunday with Prime Minister O’Neill and Bishop of ELC-PNG Giegere Wenge were local MP Gisuwat Siniwin, Morobe Governor Kelly Naru, business woman and leader Janet Sape, former Morobe premier and woman leader Annie Moaitz and several senior government workers.

The head of Lutheran Church, Bishop Giegere Wenge said the plan would  help the church in general in guiding and strengthening the family unit within the church.

 Naru also gave his support to the Lutheran women and commended them for taking such an important step through this initiative.