Students to represent school in youth camp

 TWO students from Kutubu Secondary School in Southern Highlands will represent their school in Transparency International PNG’s Mike Manning democracy youth camp in Lae, Morobe. 

Bill Buri and Silvia Maseni are among 55 youths from 26 schools in the country attending the youth camp at the Okari Conference Centre from Sept 18 to 27.

ExxonMobil PNG, operator of the PNG LNG project, has been supporting the programme since 2010. It gave K50,000 this year to assist in the running of the camp.

The camp targets students in Grades 10 to 12 and between the ages of 16 and 21. 

It aims to instill a higher level of integrity, to reduce corruption and poor governance in the society.

TIPNG executive director Emily Taule said the event was focused on economics, political science and media.

“Participants learn about the basic principles behind democracy and good governance and are put through simulations where they will carry out the passing of laws and the conduct of elections,” Taule said.

“It is important for today’s young people to become good, active and responsible citizens, especially during these challenging times. And the way to achieve this is by educating them about what they can do.”

ExxonMobil managing director Andrew Barry said the company was committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in all of its operations and was proud to be associated with TIPNG and its activities.

“This includes investing and supporting programmes such as the Mike Manning Democracy Youth Camp that has focused programmes for young emerging leaders,” Barry said.