Limited funds to develop culture, says Kilanda

THE annual funds to develop culture are limited because it is never captured in Papua New Guinea’s development plans, National Cultural Commission Steven Kilanda says.
“We hope the Government will give more recognition to culture when a National Culture Policy is in place,” he said.
“This may help receive funding from the Government to deliver cultural services to the people.”
Speaking at the closing of the one-day policy consultation workshop on a 10-year policy in East New Britain’s Kokopo, Kilanda lamented that culture always buried in tourism activities and plans.
“Strategies for cultural development is hardly mentioned in Vision 2050 and in the PNG Development Strategic Plan, culture is obscured in tourism,” he said. Former commission executive director and newly appointed ENB tourism promotion authority chairman Dr Jacob Simet welcomed Kilanda’s 15th attempt to develop a policy, stressing that protection and prevention of cultural heritage was important.
“National culture ensures PNG’s cultural heritage is safeguarded and passed down to generations,” he said.
“Fourteen attempts were made to develop a policy in his 23 years as the commission executive director that had fell short of Government blessings.”
About 50 culture and arts practitioners and industry stakeholders participated in the workshop.
Musicians AKay47 and Anslom Nakikus also participated.