The National Cultural Commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Autonomous Bougainville Government at Holiday Inn Hotel in Port Moresby.
This is the sixth MOU signed in continuation with the works of National Cultural Commission in establishing and reviving Cultural Centers in and around the country.
The Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Isi Henry Leonard said the MOU signed with the various provincial governments pave the way for them at the National level to work in partnership with them to bring cultural arts services and development to them.
The Managing Director of the National Cultural Commission Steven Kilanda said they have signed MOUs with five provincial governments and they are Milne Bay, Enga, Madang, Western, East New Britain, Central and this is the 6th MOU with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
He said they are signing these MOUs purposely to implement the 10 year policy that they have developed.
“One of the ten year policy for the first time in the country and also first one in the Pacific including Australia and New Zealand which they don’t have yet” Kilanda said.
“PNG is fortunate to have national cultural policy under the national cultural commission in place”
“Autonomous region of Bougainville the government is the important partner to implement the ten year policy” he said
Kilanda said the signing of MOU will strengthen them to go to the next level and deliver the cultural services in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Minister Isi Henry Leonard said the MOU also ensures the provinces take ownership of the arts, cultures, cultural establishments, assets, facilities, cultural sites, and cultural events and programs in their provinces.
“Actually identifies our short fall, our short fall-ness is basically, we were not setting in order of importance and priorities that is related to the indigenous people of this country” Leonard said.
The Minister for Community Development in the Autonomous Bougainville Government Morris Opeti said the signing of MOU is a dream come true and promoting culture which creates opportunities for them.
“Signing of this MOU will open doors and give opportunities to the Bougainvillean to have access to share cultural activities between the two governments” Opeti said.
Minister Leonard believes this MOU will go a long way in safeguarding, protecting, developing and promote our people’s cultural heritages in the region.
