Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura Bishop Mgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You stressed the need for careful consideration in building the Mountainous Papua Governor’s office on the ancestral lands of Walesi and Wouma, as it would disrupt and take away the livelihoods of the indigenous communities there.
“The community’s land is being disturbed and I will not stay silent. The people have been using that land for gardening for a long time. We reject the use of that land for an office, but it does not mean we reject development,” he said.
From October 4 to 6, 2023, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) monitored and investigated the construction plan for the Governor’s Office. The results concluded that the planned construction on the ancestral lands of Walesi and Wouma violates human rights and is likely to cause conflicts. He suggested that the construction site should be relocated to another district.
“There are still locations in other areas, why should it be forced? Why not in Yahukimo or Tolikara, for example?” he questioned.
The Bishop of Jayapura stressed the need for collective discussions regarding the matter. “It must be collectively approved in an honorable forum with regents, the Papua Legislative Council,, and traditional leaders. Find a suitable place that does not cause conflicts. If it brings conflicts, it should not be forced,” he added. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Rev. Benny Giay aprreciated the enthusiasm of Papuan artists through the art exhibition titled ‘Bholuh’ (From the Earth) organized by Udeido Collective in collaboration with Papuans Voices and Alyakha Art Center at Sophie Building, Jayapura City on Wednesday (31/1/2024).
Giay hoped that through this platform, a new generation of young Papuan artists will emerge.
“The development of the culture and art of the people of Papua has been neglected for years, ever since religions entered Papua,” he said in his speech at the Bholuh art exhibition.
According to him, the presence of these religions in the context of development has resulted in the damage to the identity and selfhood of the Papuan people.
“Therefore, allow me to represent the churches in asking for forgiveness. In the context of religious development, we have altered our identity and self through ‘western’ religions, shaping our nature, character, and orientation to the extent that we have forgotten our art,” he added.
He explained that, in reality, religion should be used to build integrity and nurture the seeds of goodness, integrity, and care for the land, culture, art, customs, and religions that exist.
“Therefore, in the religious context, there needs to be a change in thinking or paradigm,” he said.
Giay sees artistic movements like this as a step to encourage and revitalize the arts in Papua. This indicates the need for a change in mindset in terms of religion that supports the people of Papua.
Giay emphasized that the creativity of the people of Papua in art, culture, sports, and creative thinking has been present in this land for a long time. He urged the younger generation to explore and develop their talents.
“When I talk about music, I remember Arnold Ap; when I talk about football, I remember Boaz Solossa. Perhaps, through events like this, we can create a younger generation as great as Arnold Ap and Boaz Solossa,” he concluded.
Giay stressed that the talents of Arnold Ap and Boaz Solossa did not come by chance. “These talents emerged due to the support of parents, churches, society, and institutions in Papua,” he added. (*)
The Director General (DG) of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Leonard Louma, and the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Heidi Bootle have committed to strengthening the Australia-MSG partnership in 2024.
MSG members and Australia share longstanding bonds, including through deep cultural and historical ties, significant development, education and trade linkages, shared values including multiculturalism, democracy, equality and human rights, according to a statement from the MSG Secretariat.
Australia and the MSG Secretariat also shared a commitment to taking strong climate action.In 2024, the MSG Secretariat will partner with Australia to launch two new projects aligned with its economic, social and cultural agenda for the region:
(i) A Policy Coordination Unit within the MSG Secretariat will boost its administrative and project management capacity and resource MSG to have a stronger impact for its members.
(ii) The Yut4Melanesia initiative will support youth in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to respond to climate change and find solutions to the region’s pressing environmental challenges, such as plastic pollution.
DG of the MSG Secretariat, Leonard Louma OBE said in the statement: “We welcome the partnership of the Australian Government and are equally excited to launch these two new projects this year.
“I note that the Australian Cooperation programs with our MSG Members continues to expand largely in many areas and I appreciate these efforts very much.
“Furthermore, I am pleased to note that this commitment by Australia will help enhance the capacity of the Secretariat in improving the implementation of our work program.”
Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Heidi Bootle said, “Australia highly values its partnerships across the Melanesian region, through close relationships with MSG member countries and strong historical and cultural ties, including through our Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander communities.”
“These new, Melanesian-led initiatives elevate our partnership with the MSG Secretariat to another level and will enable the MSG Secretariat to deliver more for its members.”
In December 2022, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, and the then Deputy Director General of the MSG Secretariat, George Hoa’au, signed the Australia-MSG Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation, a long-term partnership towards achieving the MSG 2038 Prosperity Plan.
Australia also partnered with the MSG to host the inaugural and 2nd MSG Prime Minister’s Cup football tournament, hosted in Vanuatu (2022) and New Caledonia (2023) respectively, and supported the 2023 Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST) hosted by the Government of Vanuatu in collaboration with the MSG.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.