The National Cultural Commission (NCC) has launched its first-ever Policy this week.
Prime Minister James Marape when launching the National Cultural Policy, described it as a portal to addressing the economic potential of cultural tourism in the country, and the evening event was a culmination of almost two years of consultations throughout the country.
Protecting and preserving cultural heritage is one thing but that should not restrict people, craftsmen and women and creative artists to utilize their knowledge and creative abilities in creating employment or business. Dr. Michael Mel, in his opening remarks said culture has a very significant part to our communities, has been part of our country, our various communities’ right across this nation. Over time culture has taken the back seat in terms of driving this country and its communities. A back seat in the sense that, culture has a place but in many respects, other aspects have taken the dominance in our country.
Secretary for PM & NEC and NCC Board Chairman, Ivan Pomaleu said the policy was important as it addressed the needs and challenges that have been overlooked over the years and that the policy would revamp and reform these institutions.
He acknowledged the immense efforts that went into the policy development work by the NCC and those that led the charge and commended Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Isi Henry Leonard for leading the process and other areas of work as well.
NCC Executive Director, Steven Enomb Kilanda said the agency had been operating without a policy since Independence, now with the launch of the policy, marks an exciting moment for NCC and the nation as a whole.
He said, “We may be rated low in other areas, but in culture in this world, PNG is still number one. Recent international studies have shown that cultural and creative industries are the fastest growing sectors in the world with an estimated worth of US$4.3 trillion per year.
“The cultural sector now accounts for 6.1 percent of the global economy generating an annual revenue excess of 2.250 billion US Dollars and nearly 30 million jobs worldwide, thus employing more people between the ages of 15-29 than any other sector in the world,” said Mr Kilanda.
He added that development of this policy was important as it gave direction and confidence in collaborating with their partners locally, regionally and internationally.
Minister Leonard said the policy is a response to lack of policy intervention over the last 46 years, which had seen an adverse impact on the delivery of cultural services and development of culture in PNG. The Prime Minister commended Mr Kilanda and Minister Leonard for their hard work and in his address said culture should be seen for its economic benefits also.
“Our culture is something that can be converted into, benefit of our citizens, our children that will come after us…see culture also from an economic perspective, when we talk about going rural that is where 90 percent of PNG is today as we speak.
“When we talk about economically empowering our people and finding ways for them to be better in their own society, what is the quickest and easiest opportunity to give our people? It is something we are born with into our society, it’s our identity it’s our culture,” said the PM.