Kiap: We are rich in our cultural diversity

Caption:   Stalls put up by the Chinese Embassy for a glimpse into Chinese culture.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 25, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE message was conveyed to those who witnessed the opening of the UNESCO Global Village Festival, by the Deputy City Manager for NCDC Honk Kiap, last week May 21, at the Vision City Mall Amphitheatre in Port Moresby.

Commemorating the internationally recognised day of international diversity, he said that the day marked a time when the whole world comes together to celebrate their cultural differences- adding the Papua New Guinea was the capital of cultural diversity in the world.

“For those who come to this country, it is their privilege to come and share these three days with us,” Kiap said.

“With over 800 different tribes and languages, 40 years on as diverse as we are we are still united.”

“There have been many developing countries in the world that have not been united for this long.”

He pointed out that despite the huge disparity in the eyes of the world in terms of the economic measurements per capita of citizens, the country’s people were one of the richest in terms of land ownership that stems through the country’s cultural heritage.

“We may be poor per capita, but we are rich in our land and culture- these are our strength to move forward in our development,” he said.

He, however, reminded those present that changes in the world today meant that certain practices that may hinder development in the modern world had to be forgone and others maintained.

Making reference to the betelnut ban currently enforced in the capital city- saying that it was one of the stumbling blocks to development.

“Just as there are good sides and the bad to development, so to there is in long practice culture- we have to accept the good and forego the bad, so that we can live together in harmony as one.”

The Global Village Festival was organised by UNESCO PNG under the theme of ‘Learning to Live Together Better’.