PNGCC towards reweaving ecological framework

 

The Papua New Guinea Council of Churches is aiming to deepen the renewal process that began in 2016 and to reweave the PNG Household towards a PNG Ecological Framework for Development (PNG EFD). 

 

‘Reweaving the Ecological Mat of PNG’ was the theme of a week-long conference hosted by the PNGCC at the Catholic Bishops Conference that was held from 19th to 23rd August.

 

According to a press release by PNGCC, once this framework is developed, it will be used as a guide for a national policy formulation and analysis, for the churches mission to work with village and community and for political advocacy. The churches realize the need for change in the current development paradigm.

 

They acknowledge that they also contributed to the “brokenness of our PNG Household” and recognize that they have the moral authority to envision a liberating reality for Papua New Guinea. Throughout the EFD conversation, the churches have committed to three key pillars. 

 

They include;

1. The Political system needs a new direction, 

2. Development needs a new model and to focus on home-grown initiatives and the development of people and 

3. The relationship between men and women needs to be with mutual respect and love and respect between God and his people.

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The conference engaged speakers from the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend Roger Joseph, General Secretary for PNGCC, Church Leaders and representatives from the 7 Main Line Churches in PNG and other Pacific Island Nations. There were also leaders from the Government such as Hon Bryan Kramer, MP for Madang Open, Hon Gary Juffa, Governor for Oro Province, Sir Arnold Amet, Bp Rochus Tatamai and Cardinal Sir John Ribat who were present as guest speakers. 

 

Sixty conference participants mainly; Heads of Churches, women, youth and CSOs, from Fiji, Rotuma, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Hawaii and PNG were present at the conference. 

 

The main topics that were discussed included ecological issues; mainly land grabbing and seabed mining, climate change, violence, self-determination and a call for partnerships.