Teach core values at home

THE decline in services, living standards and good attitude across Papua New Guinea is a result of a widespread moral and ethical decay that is eating away at the fabric of society.
This endemic problem can be addressed by teaching young children the “core values” at home and in school and allowing them to grow up with the right values.
Madang businessman Alan Bird  made this point when addressing the ninth annual business ethics symposium staged by students in business studies at the Divine Word University last Friday.
When pointing out the many areas where unethical conduct stifles the progress of PNG, Mr Bird said it was very difficult for Papua New Guineans to do business and succeed in their own country compared to foreigners.
He said Papua New Guineans make it difficult, in unethical ways, for their own country men and women to succeed in business.
“We, Papua New Guineans, are our own worst enemies,” Mr Bird said of the lack of due respect and support for each that exists in business and other areas of society.
He said there was a general lack of adherence to basic ethical behavor across the spectrum, which is strangling the country.
Mr Bird said the widespread attack on Asian-owned shops around the country was a sign of people being confused and feeling marginalised as moral and ethical decay took its toll.
He said PNG can dig itself out of the situation it is in today by proper ethical education taught from homes and in schools as a priority subject.
Mr Bird was among several speakers at the annual symposium that spoke on the various aspects of ethics in business.