Friday, May 08, 2009
Call for Lutheran communion solidarity with communities affected by climate change
LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
LWI News online:
http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html
PURI, Orissa State, India/GENEVA, 7 May 2009 (LWI) - A group of theologians, ethicists, anthropologists and staff working on
adaptation and mitigation measures related to climate change, are calling for the Lutheran communion's global solidarity with vulnerable communities that are acting to address the impact of climate change.
"To be in communion with creation, means to be in solidarity with those victimised by climate change, who inspire and motivate
our commitment and actions to redress climate change," stated the 23 persons following a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) "Climate Change Encounter in India," 16 - 20 April, in Puri, in the northeastern state of Orissa.
The international event in disaster-prone Orissa was aimed at witnessing first hand the dramatic effects of climate change, and
reflecting on the interconnections with other parts of the world. It was organised by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) in collaboration with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) and the Department for World Service (DWS) associate program, Lutheran World Service India (LWSI).
In addition to those from the UELCI and LWSI, participants came from LWF member churches in Australia, Denmark, Germany, India,Indonesia, Sweden and the USA, from DWS programs in Bangladesh and Tanzania, as well as other Christian denominations and faiths. The five-day event comprised visits to coastal fisher folk and farmer communities around the Bay of Bengal, analyses of climate change, Bible story and worship.
In the six rural communities visited, the participants heard testimonies from and interacted with a large number of persons, whose entire lives, meaning and future are deeply affected by climate change. The LWSI rural development project is working with such communities to educate, empower people and support local initiatives such as self-help groups, disaster management and village development committees to counter the impact of climate change.
The initiatives to adapt and take preventive measures include effort to continually plant more trees; educating children;
promoting traditional food, well-being and health; and relying more on communal family systems, which can survive better amid
climate change. Community members are also conscious of the need to build houses on safer ground or raise them off the ground; and to construct elevated tube wells that guard against salinization during flooding. Through cooperation with government authorities and various disaster alert mechanisms and groups, villagers receive and plant new seeds after floods.
The LWF communiqué titled, "Witnessing to Hope Amid Rising Waters," sums up what the event's participants witnessed, and
also invites solidarity with the hopeful actions that the villagers are taking for their future.
As part of sharing the insights from the Puri communities with the wider Lutheran communion, the participants recommend that the process be broadened before and during Pre-Assemblies leading up to the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany.
"Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" is the theme of the assembly, to be hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg.
They expressed their support for the various climate change-related advocacy positions of the LWF Council and member
churches and encouraged others to do likewise. They urged a strategic presence and LWF message at the December 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark. To coincide with that crucial meeting, they proposed that a time be designated and promoted globally for ringing church (and other) bells in order to emphasize the urgency of redressing climate change.
LWI News online:
http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html
PURI, Orissa State, India/GENEVA, 7 May 2009 (LWI) - A group of theologians, ethicists, anthropologists and staff working on
adaptation and mitigation measures related to climate change, are calling for the Lutheran communion's global solidarity with vulnerable communities that are acting to address the impact of climate change.
"To be in communion with creation, means to be in solidarity with those victimised by climate change, who inspire and motivate
our commitment and actions to redress climate change," stated the 23 persons following a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) "Climate Change Encounter in India," 16 - 20 April, in Puri, in the northeastern state of Orissa.
The international event in disaster-prone Orissa was aimed at witnessing first hand the dramatic effects of climate change, and
reflecting on the interconnections with other parts of the world. It was organised by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) in collaboration with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) and the Department for World Service (DWS) associate program, Lutheran World Service India (LWSI).
In addition to those from the UELCI and LWSI, participants came from LWF member churches in Australia, Denmark, Germany, India,Indonesia, Sweden and the USA, from DWS programs in Bangladesh and Tanzania, as well as other Christian denominations and faiths. The five-day event comprised visits to coastal fisher folk and farmer communities around the Bay of Bengal, analyses of climate change, Bible story and worship.
In the six rural communities visited, the participants heard testimonies from and interacted with a large number of persons, whose entire lives, meaning and future are deeply affected by climate change. The LWSI rural development project is working with such communities to educate, empower people and support local initiatives such as self-help groups, disaster management and village development committees to counter the impact of climate change.
The initiatives to adapt and take preventive measures include effort to continually plant more trees; educating children;
promoting traditional food, well-being and health; and relying more on communal family systems, which can survive better amid
climate change. Community members are also conscious of the need to build houses on safer ground or raise them off the ground; and to construct elevated tube wells that guard against salinization during flooding. Through cooperation with government authorities and various disaster alert mechanisms and groups, villagers receive and plant new seeds after floods.
The LWF communiqué titled, "Witnessing to Hope Amid Rising Waters," sums up what the event's participants witnessed, and
also invites solidarity with the hopeful actions that the villagers are taking for their future.
As part of sharing the insights from the Puri communities with the wider Lutheran communion, the participants recommend that the process be broadened before and during Pre-Assemblies leading up to the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany.
"Give Us Today Our Daily Bread" is the theme of the assembly, to be hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg.
They expressed their support for the various climate change-related advocacy positions of the LWF Council and member
churches and encouraged others to do likewise. They urged a strategic presence and LWF message at the December 2009 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark. To coincide with that crucial meeting, they proposed that a time be designated and promoted globally for ringing church (and other) bells in order to emphasize the urgency of redressing climate change.
The full text of the communiqué from the LWF event in Puri is available at: www.lutheranworld.org
More information and further reflections about the LWF Eleventh Assembly theme are available at:
www.lutheranworld.org/Assembly2010_theme.html
* * *
(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF
currently has 140 member churches in 79 countries all over the world, with a total membership of 68.5 million. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)
[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless specifically noted, material presented does not
represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation
(LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]
LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
P. O. Box 2100 CH-1211
Geneva 2 Switzerland
Tel.: +41/22-791 63 69
Fax: +41/22-791 66 30
A naked grab for power
THE AUSTRALIAN Letters Blog May 08, 2009 3 Comments
I REFER to Graham Davis's response (Letters, 4/5) to Jon Fraenkel's letter (2-3/5). I carry no brief for the racial supremacists of my country, but Fiji's imperfect democracy is an evolving one. And neither Frank Bainimarama, nor Sitiveni Rabuka before him, had the right to destroy it, whatever the pretext.
The wonder and paradox of democracy is that the outcome cannot be guaranteed in advance. A fairer and more equitable electoral system will not necessarily deliver a result that Bainimarama, Davis or some of us would prefer. Indeed Fiji's coup leader is on record as saying that ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase would return over his dead body.
What this sentiment suggests is that Fiji's unelected ruler, who has no mandate from the people, would lend his support to a democratic model of governance so long as he was satisfied with and could guarantee the outcome. That is a dangerous proposition and reveals far more about the shallowness of Bainimarama's understanding of the nature of democratic politics.
The charge of "racism" that is flung with abandon at Qarase's government is cited to justify the December 5, 2006 coup. Suffice it to say, that in the context of Fiji the discourse about race and ethnicity is more complicated than is portrayed. It is not confined to one community. As a person of mixed-racial parentage, I can cite examples of being at the receiving end of racial slurs and discrimination. But I would not for one moment suggest that a coup d'etat would be the way to address racism and bad governance. The end does not justify the means.
Electoral reform, while important, is essentially a red herring. The real problem in Fiji is that feudal cliques refusing to relinquish privilege, an army that refuses to recognise its limitations in a democracy, and failed politicians of all persuasions and opportunistic businessmen who support them, see nothing wrong in undermining electoral verdicts.
The choice is not between good and evil as such, but rather between the legitimation of arbitrariness and whim in public life and the hesitant but gradual process of democratisation with all its checks and balances.
If the racial supremacists in Fiji are now converts, let it be the Damascus experience of Saint Paul and not the ambivalence of Hamlet. Fiji's latest coup should be seen for what it is—a naked grab for power.
Graham Leung
Suva, Fiji
Lets hope the "Melanesia Way"of decision-making is not writen into the pilot manuals......fly Airlines of PNG, perhaps?
From JOHN FOWKE
AIR Niugini has continued its services to Fiji, via the Solomon Islands, under its code share agreement with Solomon Airlines in the hopes that current disagreements between the two airlines can be solved "the Melanesian way".
"Our tolerance and continued effort to resolve this dispute only reflects the Melanesian way of dispute resolution and we are still committed to finding a workable solution that can benefit both parties," Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Our tolerance and continued effort to resolve this dispute only reflects the Melanesian way of dispute resolution and we are still committed to finding a workable solution that can benefit both parties," Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri said in a statement on Wednesday.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea National Youth Sunday
ELCPNG Hagen District Youth singing a song when presenting their offering to the ELCPNG National Office
Drama performed by the Ampo Youth ministry at the Immanuel Youth Hall
Martin Luther Seminary students presenting an item during the Youth Sunday Service at the Immanuel Youth Center
Ampo Youth leading worship with songs and music at the Immanuel Youth Hall during the National Youth Sunday serviceBy GUTI WARIME of ELCPNG
Every year the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) observes the first Sunday of May as the National Youth Sunday.
On May 3 this year, all congregations throughout the 17 districts of ELCPNG observed the day in supporting the Youth Ministries with prayers and thanksgiving.
One of ELCPNG’s oldest youth halls, Immanuel Youth Hall, built by the then active Lae Lutheran Youth (LLY) of ELCPNG in the 1970’s, came to life that day.
One of ELCPNG’s oldest youth halls, Immanuel Youth Hall, built by the then active Lae Lutheran Youth (LLY) of ELCPNG in the 1970’s, came to life that day.
The Redeemer Parish congregations in Lae city gathered at the hall for Sunday service and many youth participated in leading the worship in music and songs, creative dance and drama.
The secretary of the ELCPNG Evangelism Department, Rev Binora and the ELCPNG National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, were present at the event.
The secretary of the ELCPNG Evangelism Department, Rev Binora and the ELCPNG National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, were present at the event.
In his speech Rev Binora challenged the youth to fully utilise the Immanuel Youth Hall which has been sitting idle for many years.
He challenged the youth to come up with creative ideas to resurrect the long gone active spirit of fellowship that had moved the LLY in those days when he was a member.
“ELCPNG Youth should fully utilise this big building [Immanuel Youth Hall]!” Rev Binora stressed.
Every year, each of the 17 districts of ELCPNG usually gives their offerings to the National Youth Office (NYO) to show their ownership and support for the youth ministries.
Every year, each of the 17 districts of ELCPNG usually gives their offerings to the National Youth Office (NYO) to show their ownership and support for the youth ministries.
However, due to financial constraints and geographical locations of most congregations, it has been about 10 years since the NYO last sent out invitation to the districts seeking their support.
However, after the event, on May 5 the Highland District of ELCPNG - the ELCPNG-Hagen District Youth - came to present a cash offering of K1557.90 (USD556) to the National Youth Office and some garden food for the staff at the ELCPNG headquarters.
However, after the event, on May 5 the Highland District of ELCPNG - the ELCPNG-Hagen District Youth - came to present a cash offering of K1557.90 (USD556) to the National Youth Office and some garden food for the staff at the ELCPNG headquarters.
The items included 13 kaukau bags, 12 bunch of banana and bags of fruits and vegetables.
Upon receiving the gifts, the Acting Head Bishop of ELCPNG, Reverend Zau Rapa, thanked them and gave some challenging remarks to everyone who gathered.
Upon receiving the gifts, the Acting Head Bishop of ELCPNG, Reverend Zau Rapa, thanked them and gave some challenging remarks to everyone who gathered.
“From birth till death, the church is part our life so whatever we do to the Church, we are actually helping ourselves and not another person,” Rev Rapa stated.
The National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, is very pleased and thankful for the gifts of thanksgiving presented to the National Youth Office in Ampo by the Church of Hope Parish in the Jabem District, the Hagen District Youths and other groups.
The National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, is very pleased and thankful for the gifts of thanksgiving presented to the National Youth Office in Ampo by the Church of Hope Parish in the Jabem District, the Hagen District Youths and other groups.
MEDIA FREEDOM WEEK
It has been suggested that the standard of journalism in
It has also been suggested that journalism schools were not producing the quality graduates needed by the media industry in PNG.
I beg to differ.
If it is true that the standard of journalism in PNG has dropped, then it is not the young journalists who should be blamed, but rather the people responsible for providing editorial management and direction in the various news organisations.
These are the people who decide on what events or news get covered and what events do not get covered; they decide on what goes where in newspapers, on TV news and radio news; they determine what the nation should read about, hear about or watch on TV and what should be discarded daily.
They decide what gets prominence and what does not.
They and their chief executives who hold the cheque books determine whether young journalists receive further training at the cost of their own news organisations or wait for freebies from donor agencies and overseas information services.
These are the people who decide how far inland newspapers can be delivered, where TV and radio transmitters should be installed to give wider access to the public.
It is my view that the quality of editorial direction and management in the newsroom has a lot to do with the quality and standard of journalism in PNG.
It has a lot to do with whether journalists, both young and seasoned, uphold the so-called journalism code of ethics.
The quality of journalism in PNG is shaped by them, not necessarily by young journalists who only follow instructions to cover various news events.
It is time for the spot light to be flashed on those who should really be held accountable and answerable to the public for the daily dose of news that we read, hear and see in our media daily; not the young journalists fresh out of journalism school or trying to understand how to cover this complex nation called PNG.
As we celebrate another Media Freedom Week, media organisations should focus their attention on ensuring that many more Papua New Guineans in the rural and far remote areas of PNG have access to the media.
Our media today only reach a very small percentage of Papua New Guineans, especially those in the urban and peri-urban areas.
The rest in the rural and rural remote parts of the country remain completely isolated.
To me, reaching these people remains the single greatest challenge facing the PNG media industry today.
Having spent 10 months out of the media industry, it has become obvious to me that some sections of our industry risk becoming irrelevant to the society they purport to serve.
The public receive very little real value in their media and in a country where there is a glaring absence of government information service; the people are at a loss as to who they should turn to for relevant information.
The people’s hunger for information on how to improve their way of life and or raise their standard of living remain unfulfilled.
Yours,
Oseah Philemon, OBE
Voco Point
Lae
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Captain Bouraga’s last hurrah
Capt Bouraga is wheeled on the tarmac at Jackson's Airport. Picture by AURI EVA
Capt Bouraga's F100 is given the traditional hosing down at Jackson's Airport+with+old+mates+Masket+Iangalio+(left)+and+Lae+MP+Bart+Philemon.+Picture+by+AURI+EVA.jpg)
Capt Bouraga (centre) with old mates Masket Iangalio (left) and Lae MP Bart Philemon. Picture by AURI EVABy TRAVERTZ MABONE in The National
AIR NIUGINI saw the departure of one of its pioneer Papua New Guinea pilots last Friday.
Captain Aria Bouraga had his “wings clipped” after 40 years of soaring all over PNG and the world like an eagle, 35 of these with Air Niugini, up until last Friday.
In emotional scenes at Jackson airport in Port Moresby, Capt Bouraga was given the traditional soaking, before being wheeled off the tarmac after clocking a proud 23,000 hours of flying time in a brilliant career.
His last hurrah had none better VIP than Governor-General and PNG patriot Sir Paulias Matane while his first officer was his nephew Gari Bouraga.
Capt Bouraga said that he was proud of being able to remain with Air Niugini since its inception in 1973 and encouraged up-and-coming national pilots to take pride in their job and uphold the high personal and professional standards expected of a pilot.
Sir Paulias congratulated Capt Bouraga, saying he was proud of him being one of the first PNG pilots and thanked him for his many years of service.
Pilots’ Union president Capt Mark Storr was also proud of Mr Bouraga as he was “part of the first group of young Papua New Guineans to discover the mystery of flying”.
Capt Bouraga thanked the many pilots who had flown alongside him in his long and distinguished career.
“After 35 years in the air, I finally would like my feet on the ground at my home in Gabagaba village in Rigo, Central province,” he said.
Villagers want Butibam-Kamkumung stretch sealed
Angry Butibam villagers today called on the Works Department to immediately seal the 3km Butibam-Kamkumung stretch to avoid being polluted by dust and heavy traffic.
They made the call as all traffic along
The Butibam-Kamkumg stretch, once a well-sealed road, has over the years turned into a dusty, pothole-filled bush track.
“Butibam people are seriously considering stopping all traffic from utilising the Butibam bypass unless there is proper maintenance and sealing,”Ahi Association president Jonathan Saing said today.
“It has to be done immediately.
“We are calling on national works secretary Joel Luma to make available funding to fix the 3km stretch between Butibam and Kamkumung.
“We are not a rubbish dump and our dignity as human beings should be respected.”
Lae's Sipaia Beach out of bounds to public
Frustrated Wagang villagers from outside Lae have put a stop to members of the public using their popular
They said in a public notice dated May 1 that this was due to “continuous harassment and blatant disrespect of the villagers”.
“The
“We have taken this step to safeguard our children from speeding vehicles, public nuisance, drunkenness, disturbance of village harmony and aimless wandering into private village areas.
“Our intentions are to set up village regulations for use of the beach by the public, and put in place laws to safeguard our village life, and providing barbeque stands, toilets and other amenities before the beach is reopened to the public.”
Mr Sawang and Mr Galang said that when the beach was reopened, fees would be charged for use for leisure and functions, to bring in revenue to maintain public amenities and the beachfront.
“We hope that when we do open up, we will be able to provide services for and better inform the public,” they said.
Fuel cheaper than a year ago despite May increase
Fuel is significantly cheaper than it was a year ago, despite a small rise in pump prices for May.
InterOil President Bill Jasper says all refined fuels remained “very affordable” following this month’s increase.
“It is important to note retail prices are currently between 40 and 50 percent cheaper than they were at this time in 2008”. (Based on IPP figures, ULP is 44% cheaper, diesel 51% cheaper and kerosene is 50% cheaper).
Mr Jasper said the May pricing structure reflects the volatility and unpredictability of the international marketplace.
“It is driven by perceptions of future demand.
“Markets believe that demand for refined fuels will increase in the months ahead and this drives prices up.
“The stronger demand may become evident as various government economic stimulus measures around the world begin to take effect.
“The price changes we are experiencing here in
“We are part of the international community and, as such, are not immune from the effects of what is happening overseas”, Mr Jasper said.
The average increase for May for diesel, unleaded gasoline (ULP) and kerosene is about 5%.
“After six months of falling fuel prices (mid-2008 to early 2009) we have now seen four months of increases”, Mr Jasper said.
“The net result is that most fuels are more than a Kina cheaper per litre than they were in May 2008.
“And that, in these trying economic times, is positive and welcome news”.
For further information and to arrange media interviews contact:
Susuve Laumaea
Senior Manager Media Relations InterOil Corporation
Ph: 321 7040
Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com
Bulolo goes big on farming
Bulolo MP Sam Basil drives the new tractor with an excited Mumeng locallevel government president Mathias Jack at his side. Picture by PISAI GUMAR
By PISAI GUMAR
BULOLO district on Tuesday presented K300, 000 to the Department of Agriculture’s Erap Food Security Resource and Development Centre for the purchase of cattle and other livestock.
The money was presented during the National Agriculture Research Institute’s agriculture innovations show at Bubia outside Lae.
The payment was for 160 head of cattle, eight buffalos, 160 goats, 4, 000 ducklings, 20,000 fingerlings and training of trainers in livestock farming system and drugs and medication for animals.
The funding is also for upkeep, extension and advisory support visits by technical officers to assist farmers.
The project was initiated to encourage farmers develop sustainable livestock farming systems and improve family nutrition with the surplus to be sold.
The livestock development project is initiated for Wau Rural,
Meanwhile, the first of four new multi-purpose tractors was delivered to Mumeng from Ela Motors in Lae on Monday to develop the LLG’s agricultural capacity.
Morobe law and order committee chairman Benson Suwang and deputy administrator Patilias Gamato on Monday launched the tractor at
“It will help farmers plough agricultural land, clean the government station on weekdays, and transport local farmers’ coffee bags and fresh food to markets,” said Bulolo MP Sam Basil.
Fall 2009 Jefferson Fellowships: The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?
Fall 2009
Dates: October 25-November 14, 2009
Theme: “The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?”
Travel Destinations:
Who Can Apply: Working print, broadcast, and on-line journalists in the
Funding: Airfare, lodging, per diem and most other program expenses are provided through a grant from The Freeman Foundation of
Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
Information and applications: For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/jefferson.
Contacts: Send applications and questions by email to jefferson@eastwestcenter.org or fax at (808) 944-7600. For phone inquiries, please contact Ann Hartman, Jefferson Fellowships Coordinator, at (808) 944-7619.
Theme: “The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?”
The new
The program will begin in
Russian Cake Contest
Russian Cake Contest
Yes, everything you see is a cake with icing
The sewing machine and other items look so real it
Looks like they are the real thing -- but...they are all just cake and
icing.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Call for export markets for agricultural produce
By SENIORL ANZU
Bulolo MP Sam Basil called on all stakeholders in agriculture to take research and development to the next level by exploring overseas market opportunities.
Speaking at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia near Lae on Tuesday, Mr Basil said
He added that besides being rich in natural resources, PNG was also strategically positioned to capitalise on market opportunities available in
“Papua New Guinea must develop a strategy to capture a share in these markets for some of our potential commercial fresh fruit and vegetable crops like taro, yams, mango, aibika, krusako, kalapoa, cabbages, carrots, lettuce, peanuts, galip nuts and many more”, Mr Basil said.
“If given the support and backing by the government, I am confident our small farmers can grow produce that are competitive on the internal markets.”
He therefore indicated his willingness to lobby key players.
“I will lobby NARI and other institutions like the National Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Authority, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish a joint task force to formulate a strategy so that the Government can explore opportunities for our farmers to sell their produce to markets in Australia, New Zealand and Asia,” Mr Basil said.
He stated that PNG was not even exporting to
He cited an example during his recent travel to
He said these were crops PNG could produce in volumes for their markets.
“It is shameful that small countries like
Meanwhile, Mr Basil presented K298, 580 to Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Jim Simitab for a livestock development project in the Bulolo district.
The money was for purchase of cattle, buffalos, goats, ducks and fish from the Erap Food Security Research and Development Centre.
Another payment of K7, 162 was made to the Morobe Fisheries Authority for aquaculture development in the electorate.
Pictures of the National Agriculture Research Institute's Agriculture Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday May 5
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Michael Ogio and Morobe Governor Luther Wenge inspecting displays of sweet potato or kaukau breeding by NARI at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Michael Ogio, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and VIPs admiring new rice varieties for the highlands conditions which NARI is putting through research at the moment and were displayed at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday
Display of local fresh produce by the Fresh Produce Development Agency at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday
Correctional Service officers and inmates of Buimo Jail outside Lae admiring wingbeans at NARI during the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday
Display of mammoth kaukau by Jiwaka and Simbu farmers at 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on TuesdayAll pictures by SENIORL ANZU of NARI
Papua New Guinea to be celebrated in London art exhibition
Caption: British contemporary artist Jeremy Millar (left) and a village chief in a recent visit to the Trobriand Islands,
Port Moresby, Goroka and the Trobriand Islands are to be celebrated in an art exhibition in the United Kingdom in September.
The UK National Maritime Museum (NMM) will host a newly-commissioned artwork by British contemporary artist Jeremy Millar in Greenwich, London from September 24 to January 17 next year.
The exhibition, titled “Given”, takes as its starting point the pioneering work in the Trobriand Islands of the late world-renowned Polish anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski.
Dr Malinowski revolutionised modern anthropology and introduced new ethnographic fieldwork methods through “participant observation” during his two visits to the islands of Milne Bay in 1915-16 and 1917-1918.
One of his most acclaimed works from his fieldtrips was his literary classic Argonauts of the Western Pacific (1922). It was based on his observations of an ancient inter-island trade known as Kula between islanders from the Trobriands and those living between and on the main islands of Woodlark, Fergusson, Normanby and Misima.
Dr Malinowski’s first journey from Europe to PNG took place by sea, with him leaving on June 9, 1914, via Adelaide, Australia.
When he set off from England his childhood friend, artist and playwright Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz – who was to be his official photographer – accompanied him.
However, following a quarrel they parted company and although he never made it to PNG, Witkiewicz set a play in PNG.
Mr Millar is interested in imagining what images might have been produced on this trip had Witkiewicz stayed.
His project will stage, with the Goroka-based Raun Raun theatre troupe, Witkiewicz’s play which will be filmed and exhibited at the NMM alongside a series of photographs produced on the Trobriand Islands.
British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, David Dunn, said Mr Millar has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally and authored a number of books.
“Jeremy's work on Dr Malinowski will showcase the Trobriand Islands and Papua New Guinea in the UK and globally, confirming PNG as the world’s most culturally-diverse nation which continues to attract the eye of academia since the time of Dr Malinowski,” said High Commissioner Dunn.
“The London exhibition is a great combination of young UK artistic talent and amazing PNG culture and history and will be a world class platform upon which to highlight to a European and global audience the depth and diversity of PNG.” he added.
More information on the UK National Maritime Museum (NMM) can be obtained from its website http://www.nmm.ac.uk/
Biotechnological approach in targeting pest and disease problems in Papua New Guinea
Words and picture by SENIORL ANZU
Biotechnological approaches are being used by National Agriculture Research Institute in targeting pest and disease problems linked to climate change in
The country suffered the virtual destruction of its potato industry following the outbreak of potato late blight disease in 2003, and viral disease and pest infestations of sweet potato and other crops are increasingly hampering production and marketing.
Biotechnological solutions include the micro-propagation and field testing of blight-free and blight-resistant potato clones, and the development of clean pathogen-tested sweet potato.
Pictured is Winnie Maso of NARI explaining the crop improvement activities to school students who participated at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia outside Lae on Tuesday.
The micro-propagation activities are undertaken at the tissue culture laboratory at Aiyura,
From the laboratory, disease-free plantlets are supplied to the Fresh Produce Development Agency for development purposes through its farmer network.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Prime Minister hits back
Sir Michael defends ‘poverty’ comments
From The National, Tuesday, May 5, 2009
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday launched a stinging attack on the Opposition, while also strongly defending his Government’s track record since taking the reins seven years ago.
At a press conference yesterday Sir Michael, who returned from a week-long State visit to
Last week, Sir Mekere had taken the Prime Minister to task for telling the Australian media that no one went hungry in PNG, saying many people in PNG were starving and the majority of people still lacked basic services.
Sir Michael questioned what Sir Mekere was doing to improve services in his own Moresby Northwest electorate.
“There has been a lot of finger pointing going on by some urban Members of Parliament and I want to know what these urban Members, especially the leader of the Opposition, have done with the increases in their allocations over the last four or so years.
“Are dispensers now stocked with medicines in electorates like Lae (Deputy Opposition leader Bart Philemon’s electorate) and Moresby Northwest?
“With the accumulated law and order funds, has Gerehu police station been improved to better serve the community?
“I hear Baruni dump being brought up in the media recently.
“Can the local Member (Sir Mekere) tell us how he has used his district allocation to assist in alleviating urban poverty?
“With the district road improvement programme, are there new roads in these urban electorates?” Sir Michael asked.
“We have given each of the 89 districts adequate funds since the first term of this Government.
“In the first year, it was K1 million, then K4 million and recently K10 million.
“Yes, we lack material wealth in rural areas where the vast majority of our people live but they are not short of food and water,” the Prime Minister reiterated.
He said social services should be improving with the resources that his Government had been continuously pouring into all Government departments and districts.
“It is not for me to make inspections of aid posts and schools; it’s the responsibility of managers in those sectors.
“We constantly hear politicians giving classrooms, books, libraries to schools but hear so many complaints of lack of services.
“Let me remind everyone that MPs are basically policy makers and not implementers.
“We have a machinery that is responsible for that and I will ask the minister for public service to inform the public of what the Government has been doing to improve service delivery.
“We recognise that there are deficiencies and have ploughed money into the districts to complement the work of departments such as police, Works, Transport, Health and Education,” the Prime Minister said.
Sir Michael said the public sector was a stumbling block, making delivery of services to districts difficult.
Referring to Sir Mekere, he said people living in glass houses should not throw stones.
“My advice to the Opposition leader is he must stop playing politics with people’s lives and start making the resources provided by this Government work in his urban electorate,” Sir Michael said.
Don't kiss a pig!
Whatever you do in these dark days of the aporkalyse, don't do what the child above is doing! Photographer unknown.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Farm pictures from a farm in Queensland, Australia
Captions: 1. Kangaroo convention 2. Purple bottlebrush 3. Captain Cook bottlebrush 4. Baby hare
Pictures sent in from former
Nambawan Super reaches for the skies of Lae and Port Moresby
Port Moresby CBD. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM
Port Moresby CBD. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM
IPI Building Lae. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM Leading public sector super fund Nambawan Super is reaching for the skies in both Lae and Port Moresby with impressive new edifices in the two leading cities of Papua New Guinea.
Nambawan Super’s contribution to the current building and construction boom in PNG are the new-look IPI Building in Lae, central business district (CBD) development in Hunter Street, Port Moresby, and a commercial development at Taurama, Port Moresby, at the site of the old squash courts.
Pacific Architects Consortium (PNG) Ltd is the architects and designers of the multi-million kina projects for Nambawan Super, along with many other new developments in PNG.
“The IPI Building consists of a secure semi-basement car parking for all tenants plus separate off-street visitor parking,” explains PAC associate director/senior project manager Gary Hallard. “It is anticipated that there will be over 1, 000 square metres ground floor retail area, with four floors of commercial space, at 750 square metres per level of net-lettable area.
“The remaining top two penthouse floors contain a mixture of two and three-bedroom boutique apartments, totalling 10, that have unsurpassed views to the Huon Gulf and Salamaua.
“The entire building has been carefully designed to latest technology while being
environmentally-friendly and robust to meet the harsh and diverse climate conditions
experienced in Lae.
“The building will be a landmark building for Lae and Nambawan Super Limited.”
To the Port Moresby CBD, Fletcher Morobe Constructions are up to the fifth level of the nine-level tower, along a busy thoroughfare.
“When completed, the Building is a boutique commercial and residential development offering an attractive streetscape retail facility at ground level, two levels of car parking with one level below ground and the other suspended above ground,” Mr Hallard said.
“This will be followed by four levels of commercial office space, each level containing private ablutions for each individual office. The top two floors will contain six spacious penthouse units that will have stunning views to both Fairfax Harbour and the ocean.
“The building has been designed to the highest international environmental standards.”
In addition to the IPI Building in Lae and CBD Hunter Street, Port Moresby, Nambawan Super is also preparing a third development at Taurama.
Mr Hallard said: “This is a commercial building that comprises the following:
· Semi-basement car parking for 33 tenant’s cars and 12 off-street visitor car parks off Hubert Murray Highway; and
· The three commercial levels and rooftop mezzanine commercial space have a combined net-lettable area of approximately 3, 000 square metres.
“Pacific Architects Consortium has designed the building to the highest international
environmental standards.
“The building is currently ready for tender and construction.”
Nambawan Super’s contribution to the current building and construction boom in PNG are the new-look IPI Building in Lae, central business district (CBD) development in Hunter Street, Port Moresby, and a commercial development at Taurama, Port Moresby, at the site of the old squash courts.
Pacific Architects Consortium (PNG) Ltd is the architects and designers of the multi-million kina projects for Nambawan Super, along with many other new developments in PNG.
“The IPI Building consists of a secure semi-basement car parking for all tenants plus separate off-street visitor parking,” explains PAC associate director/senior project manager Gary Hallard. “It is anticipated that there will be over 1, 000 square metres ground floor retail area, with four floors of commercial space, at 750 square metres per level of net-lettable area.
“The remaining top two penthouse floors contain a mixture of two and three-bedroom boutique apartments, totalling 10, that have unsurpassed views to the Huon Gulf and Salamaua.
“The entire building has been carefully designed to latest technology while being
environmentally-friendly and robust to meet the harsh and diverse climate conditions
experienced in Lae.
“The building will be a landmark building for Lae and Nambawan Super Limited.”
To the Port Moresby CBD, Fletcher Morobe Constructions are up to the fifth level of the nine-level tower, along a busy thoroughfare.
“When completed, the Building is a boutique commercial and residential development offering an attractive streetscape retail facility at ground level, two levels of car parking with one level below ground and the other suspended above ground,” Mr Hallard said.
“This will be followed by four levels of commercial office space, each level containing private ablutions for each individual office. The top two floors will contain six spacious penthouse units that will have stunning views to both Fairfax Harbour and the ocean.
“The building has been designed to the highest international environmental standards.”
In addition to the IPI Building in Lae and CBD Hunter Street, Port Moresby, Nambawan Super is also preparing a third development at Taurama.
Mr Hallard said: “This is a commercial building that comprises the following:
· Semi-basement car parking for 33 tenant’s cars and 12 off-street visitor car parks off Hubert Murray Highway; and
· The three commercial levels and rooftop mezzanine commercial space have a combined net-lettable area of approximately 3, 000 square metres.
“Pacific Architects Consortium has designed the building to the highest international
environmental standards.
“The building is currently ready for tender and construction.”
Media Freedom Week in Papua New Guinea
Overview
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea will be implementing a cluster of events to commemorate World Press Freedom Day and advocate for media freedom in PNG from May 3-9.
The events will comprise theme movies, media breakfast, media freedom music festival, media sector and community engagements through forums and concerts, and formal dinner with national leaders and international guests.
Events will also be hosted in
Goal
Advocate for Media Freedom in PNG by 2020 by addressing the inadequate support and action for media freedom in PNG by the State, civil society and the media profession in terms of newsroom decisions and self-censorship.
Objectives
• Promote freedom of expression and freedom of the press (media) as a basic human right as enshrined in Article 19 (XIX) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Promote Freedom of media as qualified under section 46 of PNG Constitution, and Freedom of information as a qualified right under Section 51, Right to Freedom of Information.
• Promote liberation of media from State restrictions, internal restraints by the management of media outlets, and inadequate support from the civil society for a free and responsible media.
• Promote interaction and interdependence of the media; civil society, private sector and the State.
Events
• Movie marathon
• Media breakfast
• Music for Media Freedom Festival
• Media freedom dinner
• Civil society engagement ( concerts/ speeches)
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