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Monday 07:45 - 16:06 Tuesday 07:45 - 16:06 Wednesday 07:45 - 16:06 Thursday 07:45 - 16:06 Friday 07:45 - 16:06

Department For Community Development and Religion, Sambra Haus, Kumul Avenue, WAIGANI, Port Moresby (2026)

25/09/2026

Ialibu-Pangia District Community Development Centre Opened

25 September 2026

The people of Ialibu-Pangia in Southern Highlands Province will now have access to community development programs and services at their doorstep following the Opening of the District Community Development Centre (DCDC).

The Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR), in partnership with the Ialibu-Pangia District Development Authority, established the people-centred facility at Pangia Station.

The official opening was held on 16 September 2026, coinciding with PNG’s 51st Independence Anniversary.

The DFCDR delegation was led by Deputy Secretary for the Equality and Inclusion Wing, Mr Jack Simbou, representing Secretary Mr Jerry Ubase, and Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Hon. Jason Peter.

Local Member and Former Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill also attended the ceremony.

On behalf of Secretary and Minister, Mr Simbou thanked Hon. Peter O’Neill and his DDA for the partnership.

He also thanked the contractor, describing the facility as a timely gift that will bring services closer to the people and strengthen coordination at the district level.

In his Indepence Message, Hon. O’Neill thanked the Department and the Minister for their leadership and commitment in establishing the facility.

He also urged the Department to ensure the facility is fully operational.

Apart from the department’s protection and empowerment programs, the facility will provide opportunities for government agencies, development partners, churches, civil society organisations and community groups to work together.

Meanwhile, the Department will ensure the Centre is operational and responsive to the needs of communities.

08/09/2026

104 Participants Complete Financial Literacy Training

8 September 2026

By Yael Fofoe & Velma Elyambu
UPNG Journalism students

A total of 104 participants from Kirakira village successfully completed a three-day financial literacy training and received their certificates at the Butuka Academy Multi-Functional Hall last week.

On behalf of the Secretary for the Department for Community Development and Religion, Mr Jerry Ubase, Assistant Director for Informal Economy, Ms Cecelia Wrondimi thanked the Kirakira Ward Member and Deputy Chairman, Mr Babani Harry, for taking the initiative to bring the training to his people.

While congratulating the participants on completing the training, she also acknowledged Mama Bank for assisting participants to open bank accounts.

She encouraged participants to apply the skills they have learned by starting small financial activities, venturing into SMEs, and sharing their knowledge with their families and communities.

Mr Babani Harry expressed his appreciation to Secretary Ubase and the Informal Economy team for delivering the much-needed training.

“This is a great opportunity for my people, and I am very thankful that the Department has taken the time to come and deliver this training to us,” he said.

One of the participants, Sharon Malabag, shared that the training helped her better understand budgeting and financial planning.

“I learnt that sometimes it is okay to say ‘no’ to other obligations, and that proper planning and budgeting is what is best for me and my family’s future.

“With this training, I will go home and share what I have learnt with my husband and children,” she said.

Since 2022, the Department, through the Informal Economy Section, has trained and certified over 1,500 participants across the country.

The financial literacy program is delivered in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), Mama Bank, and other key partners.

02/09/2026

Over 100 Women in Kirakira Receive Financial Literacy Training

2 September 2026

More than 100 women, along with a few men from Kirakira village, have commenced a three-day financial literacy training aimed at strengthening their knowledge and skills in managing personal finances and developing small businesses.

The training began this morning at Butuka Academy and is being facilitated by the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR).

The training is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving and managing money, while encouraging them to explore opportunities in the informal economy and transition into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Assistant Director of Informal Economy within DFCDR, Ms. Cecelia Wrondumi, said the training was part of the Department’s efforts to engage more people in the informal sector and support them to establish and grow their businesses.

“The idea behind this financial literacy training is to engage more people in the informal sector into small and medium enterprises so that they can register their businesses and grow from there,” she said.

Ms. Wrondumi said Mama Bank would be available on the final day of the training to assist participants in opening bank accounts. Participants will also receive a K300 loan each as seed capital to help them start or strengthen small income-generating activities.

Kirakira Ward Member and Deputy Chairman, Mr. Babani Harry, welcomed the initiative, describing the training as an important opportunity for his people.

“It's just a pathway where through the community we want to set them up properly to achieve greater things,” he said.

Mr. Harry said empowering women was one of his priorities and revealed that he was also working with DFCDR on plans to establish a safe house in the community.

He said his vision was to see women progress from selling goods at market tables to owning shops and trade stores within the village.

“So from market table, I want them to go to a store, a store to a trade shop,” he said.

He said the initiative was aimed at empowering women to become financially independent and capable of owning and operating businesses in the future.

“I want to empower them now so that in three years’ time, they can be able to own shops,” he said.

Mr. Harry also said he would support participants by paying the K40 required for each participant to open an account with Mama Bank.

The three-day training is expected to end this Friday with a presentation of certificates to the participants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Department For Community Development and Religion

25/09/2026

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Tuesday	07:45 - 16:06
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