Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) opened the 5TH Integrity and Action Exhibition today at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Port Moresby city.
The two days of exhibition was officially opened by TIPNG Founding Director, Dame Meg Taylor.
Dame Meg Taylor in her opening speech stated that the exhibition title ‘Integrity and Action’ speaks volume as both words are critical, not just as concepts, but as guiding principles for our society and our future.
“Integrity at its heart is about honesty, transparency and accountability in our personal lives, our professional endeavours and in our governance. Integrity is the quality of possessing high ethical principles or professional standards and keeping those standards consistent throughout all areas of your life, at school, church and at home.
It’s the foundation upon which trust is built, trust between individuals, trust in our institutions and trust in our leaders,” Dame Meg Taylor said.
She added that integrity is important because integrity is the cure for corruption and if people always acted with integrity there would be no corruption.
“There would be no need to eradicate this global systemic and systemic problem. In PNG, as in many nations, the fight against corruption is an ongoing battle. It requires constant vigilance, unwavering commitment and collective actions.
We must all be champions of integrity in our own spheres of influence,” she said.
Dame Meg said this is where the work of Transparency International PNG becomes so vital.
“For years, TIPNG has been at the forefront of advocating for transparency and accountability. They have worked tirelessly to promote good governance and ethical leadership, empower citizens and provide platforms for dialogue and actions,” Dame Meg said.
She said this exhibition is a testament to TIPNG’s commitment and it is an opportunity for all of the participants to learn more about the challenges they face, connect with organizations and agencies working to combat corruption and discover how they can each contribute to a more transparent and ethical society.
“I officially open this exhibition and urge each of you to take the time to engage with this exhibition, to reflect on the importance of integrity, and to consider how you can be a force for positive change.
Let us leave here today with a renewed commitment to integrity and a clear understanding that action, our collective action is essential to building a better future for PNG,” she concluded.