Department For Community Development and Religion

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Papua New Guineans Called to Reset in Christ26 August 2026Hundreds of Christians gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium ...
26/08/2026

Papua New Guineans Called to Reset in Christ

26 August 2026

Hundreds of Christians gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium this morning to commemorate National Prayer and Repentance Day under the theme, “Resetting PNG Today for a Better Tomorrow in Jesus Christ.”

The national gathering brought together Government leaders, churches, communities, the private sector, development partners and citizens in a united call for prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal for Papua New Guinea.

Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Hon. Jason Peter, warmly welcomed participants and keynote speaker, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, describing the occasion as an important opportunity for the nation to come together before God.

Hon. Peter said National Prayer and Repentance Day allows Papua New Guineans to pause from their daily responsibilities, humble themselves before God, examine their hearts, reconcile with one another and renew their commitments.

“The Prayer and National Repentance Day gives us the opportunity to pause from our daily responsibilities, humble ourselves before God, examine our hearts, reconcile and renew our commitments,” Hon. Peter said.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Marape said the deepest foundation and greatest strength of Papua New Guinea’s unity is found in Jesus Christ.

He said the country’s history, customs, cultures and responsibilities compel Papua New Guineans to pay homage, first and foremost, to God the Creator.

The Prime Minister particularly appealed to young people, warning that they face many challenges and temptations in the modern world.

He said while technology has brought many benefits, young people must remain grounded in their faith and values.

“Reset PNG today for a better tomorrow in Jesus Christ,” Prime Minister Marape said, urging citizens to place God at the Centre of their lives and the nation’s future.

He said political leaders may come and go, but meaningful change in the country will remain difficult unless Papua New Guineans put God first in their lives.

Quoting Matthew 6:33, the Prime Minister encouraged citizens to seek God first and build their lives on Christian principles.

Prime Minister Marape further acknowledged that Papua New Guinea has been richly blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile land and seas, as well as diverse cultures and languages.

However, he said the country continues to face serious challenges, including poverty, inequality, gaps in health and education services, unemployment, challenges affecting young people, violence against women and children, family breakdown, corruption, misuse of public resources, tribal conflicts and the exclusion of vulnerable people.

“These are challenges that Government alone cannot solve. Parliament alone cannot solve these challenges. The church alone cannot solve these challenges, and business alone cannot solve these challenges,” he said.

He stressed that Papua New Guineans must work together under a common purpose and unity found in Jesus Christ.

Prime Minister Marape said a national “reset” would have little meaning unless individuals were willing to change within their own hearts and lives.

“Individually, in our hearts, if we do not change, then reset means nothing,” he said.

He also called on Papua New Guineans to rise above political differences and hatred, saying leadership should not be driven by pride but should be regarded as a sacred responsibility to serve and protect the people.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Body of Christ, Pastor Michael Wilson, made an emotional appeal for every individual to follow God’s word and live according to His will to bring positive change to the country.

“With God, prosperity is ours. With God, healing is ours. With God, things are possible,” Pastor Wilson said.

The National Prayer and Repentance Day observance concluded with a strong call for Papua New Guineans to unite in faith and seek forgiveness for a better future in Jesus Christ.

First Police Personal Complete Financial Literacy Training25 August 2026Sixteen police women and wives of Police Men fro...
25/08/2026

First Police Personal Complete Financial Literacy Training

25 August 2026

Sixteen police women and wives of Police Men from the Blue Haven Women’s Alliance at Morata Barracks have successfully completed a two-day financial literacy training last week, becoming the first members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) community to undertake such training.

The participants were presented with certificates following the completion of the training, which focused on budgeting and saving money.

Deputy Secretary for the Equality and Inclusion Division, Mr. Jack Simbou, thanked the participants for taking the initiative to attend the training, describing financial literacy as an important skill for both public servants and those in the private sector.

“Not many of us are very good at budgeting and planning, using money and managing money. So, I think it is a very important training for us to use, or even run, in all other departments that we have,” Mr. Simbou said.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Secretary and the Policy Advice and Program Development Division, Assistant Director for Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms. Sharon Gore, expressed her sincere gratitude to the participants and encouraged them to put into practice the knowledge they had gained.

“Your participation and your interest to come and learn is an indication of your taking ownership of what we need to do as a country individually,” Ms. Gore said.

On behalf of the 16 members of the Blue Haven Women’s Alliance, Chairlady Ms. Josie Kikoi thanked the Department and the Secretary for making the training possible.

“It is a privilege for us, the Police Family, to attend this training. We have learned important lessons about budgeting, saving, managing our money wisely and planning for the future,” she said.

Ms. Kikoi said the skills gained through the training would be valuable not only to the participants but also to their families, associations and communities.

Ms. Kikoi encouraged her fellow participants to see the presentation of certificates not only as a celebration but as a commitment to apply the lessons learned in their daily lives.

Meanwhile, Waigani Police Station Second-in-Command, Sergeant Joe Paiembi, confirmed that the RPNGC has not previously conducted a formal financial literacy training of this kind.

He said police training has traditionally focused mainly on policing duties and operational aspects of law enforcement.

The training marks an important step towards empowering mothers of the police community with practical financial management.

Last Friday, we welcomed five fourth-year Journalism and Public Relations students from the University of Papua New Guin...
23/08/2026

Last Friday, we welcomed five fourth-year Journalism and Public Relations students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) for a 14-week internship placement.

The students began their internship with an introductory session coordinated by our Media Unit.

On behalf of the Secretary, Mr. Jerry Ubase, the Media Manager, Mr. Joshua Kem, welcomed the interns and provided an overview of the Department’s functions, mandate, and organisational structure.

During the session, we also briefed the students on the Code of Conduct, workplace behaviour and professionalism.

Expectations for the 14-week placement were clearly outlined, including key activities and responsibilities.

Following the session, the interns were taken on a tour of the Department and introduced to Assistant Directors, Directors, and staff.

The internship will provide the students with practical experience and an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a professional working environment.

For the duration of the program, the students will be attached to our Media Section, where they will gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the Department’s work and its engagement with communities.

This year alone, we have engaged a number of students from different institutions, including Divine Word University, the University of Goroka, technical colleges, and other universities in the country.

This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment in preparing students for the workforce after school.

Findings from In-Depth Analysis of Disability Data Presented20 July 2026The National Statistical Office (NSO), in partne...
21/07/2026

Findings from In-Depth Analysis of Disability Data Presented

20 July 2026

The National Statistical Office (NSO), in partnership with UNFPA and with support from the Government and development partners, hosted a presentation on the findings of an in-depth analysis of disability data yesterday in Port Moresby.

The presentation highlighted key findings on PNG’s disability statistics, including clear gaps between persons living with disabilities and those without, particularly in areas such as livelihood, education, and employment.

In his keynote address, Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Hon. Jason Peter, emphasized that disability inclusion is a whole-of-government responsibility guided by evidence.

He stressed the need to ensure education systems are accessible and responsive to persons with disabilities, alongside strengthening inclusive skills development programs, improving workplace accessibility, and promoting leadership across both public and private sectors.

He also highlighted the importance of building a strong national disability data system.

Hon. Peter acknowledged the National Statistical Office, the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons, UNFPA, the Government of Australia, and all partners for their continued support in advancing the disability agenda.

According to the findings presented by UNFPA Consultant Dr. Jose Ramon Albert, four in every Papua New Guineans aged five and above are living with a disability.

The analysis was based on data from the 2022 Socio-Demographic and Economic Survey.

“The study makes persons living with disabilities visible in the country’s statistics, ensuring that the promise to leave no one behind is upheld,” said Dr. Albert.

“Disability data serves as a map for action and helps track whether the lives of persons with disabilities improve over time,” he said.

National Statistician Mr. Alfred Mokae reaffirmed that, as the custodian of official statistics, the NSO is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and inclusive data to address the real needs of persons with disabilities.

UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Mr. Mark Hutchinson noted that the event marked more than the release of statistical findings, describing it as a significant step toward building an inclusive national statistical system that generates evidence to improve lives.

PAU STUDENTS FAREWELLED20 July 2026Thirteen students from Pacific Adventist University (PAU), attached to the Department...
20/07/2026

PAU STUDENTS FAREWELLED

20 July 2026

Thirteen students from Pacific Adventist University (PAU), attached to the Department’s Policy Advice and Program Development Wing, were officially farewelled last week after completing their six-week placement.

During their attachment, the students contributed to key tasks and participated in major activities, including the Department’s Combined Quarterly Review Workshop Financial Literacy Training.

Deputy Secretary Mr Warren Marape thanked the students for their commitment and contributions during their time with the Department.

“Here in our section, we aim to create a critical working environment where everyone contributes to our deliverables while also learning and growing professionally. I hope you have gained valuable experience of working life,” he said.

Mr Marape also presented reference letters and certificates of participation in Financial Literacy Training to the students.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Miss Muriel Adimanu thanked the supervisors and staff for their guidance and support.

“In my six weeks here, I learned a lot and had the opportunity to participate in a financial literacy training while assisting with logistics, as well as observe the Department’s Combined Quarterly Review Workshop,” she said.

Other students also expressed their appreciation to the Department for providing valuable industrial training opportunities.

This week, a team from SPC led by the Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls Ms Mereseini Rakuita, togethe...
17/07/2026

This week, a team from SPC led by the Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls Ms Mereseini Rakuita, together with counterparts from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), were in Port Moresby, working closely with the Office for the Development of Women (ODW) under the Department (DfCDR), to progress preparations for the 16th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, 9th Pacific Ministers for Women Meeting, and 6th Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting, which will be hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea in April 2027.

As part of this scoping mission, the team met with the Secretary, Mr Jerry Ubase, along with representatives from key government agencies, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to planning and delivering this regional meeting.

Discussions focused on the initial steps towards conference preparations, including:

• Establishing governance and coordination arrangements across government.
• Defining roles and responsibilities for national and regional partners.
• Developing a communications and visibility strategy to support awareness and engagement.
• Planning logistics, protocol and delegate experience.
• Identifying opportunities to showcase Papua New Guinea's culture, leadership and hospitality.
• Strengthening collaboration to ensure an inclusive, accessible and impactful conference for delegates from across the .

The Triennial Conference of Pacific Women is the region's longest-running platform for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment, bringing together governments, civil society, development partners and women leaders to review progress, share experiences and shape collective action towards a more equal Pacific.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SPC, PIFS and other partner agencies in the coming months as we work towards delivering a successful conference that reflects strong Pacific leadership, partnership, and our shared commitment to gender equality.

CNSP Supports Department with Laptops and MIS Server 10 July 2026The Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP) Projec...
10/07/2026

CNSP Supports Department with Laptops and MIS Server
10 July 2026

The Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP) Project Component 2 (CMU2) has presented 30 laptops and a Management Information System (MIS) server to the Department for Community Development and Religion.

The presentation was done yesterday to strengthen the Department’s capacity in delivering the Child Nutrition Grant Program.

The equipment will improve data management, coordination, reporting, and overall program delivery.

The support is part of the project’s “scale back, scale up” approach. This aims to prepare Department officers to take full ownership of the program in the future.

Project CMU 2 Manager, Joseph Klapat said the handover reflects the project’s final phase.

“This is part of our scale back, scale up strategy to equip officers to eventually take over the project,” he said.

Secretary Jerry Ubase thanked the CNSP Project for the support and the opportunity given to officers to gain hands-on experience.

“We will continue to build the capacity of our officers. At the same time, sustaining and maintaining this program is important for the Government,” he said.

The Project is implemented by three Government Departments; Health (CMU1), DFCDR (CMU2) and Justice and Attorney General (CMU3).

The CNSP Project is currently implemented in four pilot provinces; ENBP, Madang, Western and Simbu with plans to expand to other provinces and districts.

Commencement of the Community Development Act 2025 and the Disability Services Act 2025.
10/07/2026

Commencement of the Community Development Act 2025 and the Disability Services Act 2025.

Dei District Signs DCDC Agreement with DFCDR9 July 2026Dei District in Western Highlands Province has signed an agreemen...
09/07/2026

Dei District Signs DCDC Agreement with DFCDR

9 July 2026

Dei District in Western Highlands Province has signed an agreement with the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR) to establish a District Community Development Centre (DCDC).

The agreement was signed yesterday between the Member for Dei District, Desmond Kipa, and the Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Jason Peter.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment between the Department and the District to deliver protection and empowerment services at the district.

Minister Jason Peter thanked Hon. Kipa for partnering with the Government to deliver this important initiative.

“It is a 50/50 partnership between the National Government and the District. We expect construction to begin soon and the building to be completed in due course,” he said.

Member for Dei District, Desmond Kipa, thanked the Minister and the Department for bringing this people-centred initiative to his district.

He said the facility will help coordinate programs for women and girls, youths, children, people with disabilities, and others, including church-run programs.

“This project will complement other developments we are undertaking in the district. We will fully commit to funding our 50 percent share of the total costs,” he said.

Dei District is the fourth district to sign a DCDC agreement this year.

The signing ceremony in Port Moresby was witnessed by the Dei DDA CEO and his team alongside DCDC Project team and senior managers from the department.

03/07/2026

DFCDR Signs MOAs with CEFI and Mama Bank
3 July 2026

The Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR) yesterday signed Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs) with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and Mama Bank in Port Moresby.

The MoAs signify the Department’s commitment to extending financial literacy programs to rural communities, with the aim of empowering people at the community level.

Secretary Mr. Jerry Ubase thanked both CEFI and Mama Bank for their continued partnership in rolling out financial literacy training in the country.

“Under MTDP IV, every Government Department is tasked to contribute towards creating one million jobs. This MoA signing provides an opportunity for the Department to continue play its part in that national target,” Mr. Ubase said.

“We are focused on empowering people at the community level with financial literacy skills so they can start earning income, engage in small and medium enterprises, and eventually create opportunities for their families and others.”

“We must ensure that mothers, youths, and vulnerable and marginalised groups in our communities have access to bank accounts, loans, and other financial services,” he added.

Mr. Ubase also highlighted that through the District Community Development Centre (DCDC) initiative, the Department aims to deliver more people-centred services at the district level.

Acting Executive Director of CEFI, Mr. Peter Samuel, thanked the Secretary for his continued support, and said the MoA signing between the Department and Mama Bank is a way forward for financial inclusion.

Chief Executive Officer of Mama Bank, Mr. Guninandhi Das, thanked the Secretary and CEFI for the collaboration in delivering financial literacy training and training-of-trainers programs in communities.

He said these programs help participants understand saving, improve financial management, and enable institutions like Mama Bank to extend services to marginalised groups, including women, persons living with disabilities, and the elderly.

“At Mama Bank, we believe that opening a bank account is not a privilege limited to urban areas, but a right for all individuals,” Mr. Das said.

The MoA signing with CEFI and Mama Bank was followed by the signing of a construction (service) contract with Dicos Corporation Ltd, represented by Mr. Andy Chen.

The contract was signed between Kikori District Development Authority (DDA), Dicos Corporation Ltd, and DFCDR for the construction of a new DCDC building in Kikori.

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Sambra Haus, Kumul Avenue, WAIGANI
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