Australia lauds work of churches to develop PNG

Australia has acknowledged the work of churches in the development of Papua New Guinea.
Australian High Commission sub-national development counsellor Geoff King highlighted this during the 27th Church Partnership Programme (CPP) biannual forum in Lae from March 26-28.
The CPP is a forum that unites seven mainline churches in PNG: Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, United, Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist and Baptist.
King said: “Dialogue is crucial, enabling church leaders to clearly articulate a vision that places Gutpela Sindaun (abundant life) at the heart of CPP’s collective work in five thematic areas of health, education, gender equality and social inclusion, peace and prosperity, and disaster risk reduction.
“The collaborative effort embrace the principles of Gutpela Sindaun through explicit focus on improving wellbeing of PNG families and communities.”
King said Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced the Pacific Step-Up initiative last year, under which a new Pacific churches’ programme was being developed.