NCDC supports UNESCO festival

Caption:  (L) City Manager Leslie Alu presenting cheque to UNESCO Sec Gen Yori Yei

By MATTHEW VARI

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH the opening of the UNESCO Global Village Festival set to open today in Port Moresby, the city’s authority the National Capital District Commission has thrown its support behind the festival with financial support of K10,000 and contribution of activities during the three day event.

Speaking during the presentation of support, City Manager Leslie Alu, said that being the cultural capital of the country, it was vital the city authority take part in important cultural events like the Global Village Festival.

“When UNESCO invited NCDC to participate in this program, I very quickly said yes and I assigned Mr Kila Dick (Social Services Manager NCDC) to be on the team,” Mr Alu said.

“We are particularly a culturally diverse city, not only of citizens of other countries coming here but also within the country itself.”

“With over 800 culture groups and languages, the city is seen as the language capital in the country.”

“This event I’m told will be one of the best here, so we are excited to partner UNESCO and we will assist them with K10,000 for this event.”

He said assisting them reflected what the city symbolises, also reflecting the theme which is “world day for cultural diversity”.

“We do not want our culture to die down because of western influence, we have to maintain the standard and ensure its survival as part of our development.”

Accepting the assistance, UNESCO PNG Secretary General Yori Yei thanked NCDC for their support saying that Port Moresby was a little PNG, with every tribe represented as citizens of the capital.

“We have strategized this global festival to address issues and challenges that the current government is addressing in terms cultural diversity,” Yei said.

“It has been a challenge, but with the positive support from the government and private sector it has been pleasing to get support from organisations like NCDC.”

“The three days have been set by the UN, and UNESCO is mandated to culturally promote the sanctioned days.”

The festival will be opened by the Governor General Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio today at the Vision City Mall Amphitheatre at Waigani.

There will be performances of international cultural groups along with groups from the country, and the festivities will continue throughout the week till Friday.