The largest bank of Papua New Guinea (PNG) the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) once again come to its annual school Clean-up campaign, promoting its Go Green Campaign spreading teachings and messages in and around schools and communities it operates in. A selected hand of over 160 school across PNG participated in this annual event raising awareness in the country with the theme, “Rethink, Reuse and recycle.” In Port Moresby, the awareness was launched on Friday 10th November at Bavaroko Primary School for the National Capital District (NCD) schools cleanup and witnessed by the BSP Eco Ambassador Martin Kilagi and his team. Mr. Kilagi simply expressed to the students that; we can protect the environment and ecosystem by cleaning the environment to reduce pollution, this is important for all human’s existence. “Be more mindful when disposing waste and try to reuse to reduce waste as possible.” Eco Amb Mr Kilagi reiterated the go green campaign community with the bank and its commitment to host this awareness every year to promote environmental, education, sporting and charitable programs to help to communities we operate in. Prior to this event from Goroka, BSP Branch Staff also scattered outside the branch and in the streets of Goroka collecting and disposing rubbish correctly. Primary schools from West Goroka among the 169 schools participated in the program taking the streets to clean the environment. Corporate Sponsorship Manager for BSP Ms, Amelia Minnopu expressewd her gratitude to the 169 schools around PNG for their participation in this year’s 2023 Go Green Campaign. “Our aim is to apply a practical quality to the program where all children and students may participate across from PNG, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands.”

A growing number of farmers in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, continue to learn about and grow their own rice, as part of the Food Security Rice Project. The caretaker of Food Security & Nutrition Advisor with the Milne Bay Provincial Government, Division of Agriculture & Livestock (DAL), Mr. Skipa Christopher, who is running the Food Security Rice Project, said right now, there are about 100 individual farmers that are part of this project. “Motuyuwa Village has just come onboard with this project, and they have committed almost 900 hectares of their traditional land, to grow rice.” He said people have expressed that they find it hard to afford the imported rice that is sold in the shops and the Provincial DAL is continuing to address this concern, by encouraging the locals to grow their own rice. “There are currently 100 farmers that are part of this project, and we continue to encourage more individual farmers to get involved, by providing incentives.” The Didiman explained that once the individuals commit their land to the project, the Provincial then comes onboard and provides the technical know-how, as well as the rice seeds. “And we tell the farmers, grow enough rice for you and your family and if there is any surplus, then we will buy it from you and sell it.” Mr. Skipa explained that they already have their own rice on the shop shelves; rice that is supplied by the local farmers. “We are just waiting for our packaging to arrive, before we can send out new stock of our Milne Bay Rice.” The DAL continues to visit their project sites and from their assessments, they have reported that logistics remains a challenge, especially for the rural rice farmers, who need to transport their rice produce to the Bubuleta Resource Center, for processing. “We are working through this challenge as well as providing micro mills for the farmers to process their own rice. The DAL has already provided around 30 micro mills to local rice farmers, who have improved and increased their rice production

Hangapo Primary school in Tebi Local Level Government (LLG) in Tari Piro District, Hela Province hosted a ceremony with the 11 Clan Community bylaws as a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU is now a symbol of agreement and understanding to maintain protection of school properties and keeping peace between the school and communities nearby. Hangapo in Tebi LLG was known to be a warzone with an adequate number of warlords, these war warriors came forward who truly seek peace in the midst of everything. This first of its kind ceremony was witnessed by the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Hela Province Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop and Security Personnel, Police officers and Army, Director Tumberi, Standard Officer Tari Pori Electorate Rickson Gulai, Distance Education Advisor Howard Matiabe, Hela Defence Service Liaison Officer Sargent (Sgt) Andrew Telabe and Hangapo Primary School Head Teacher Rom Gulai and his ancillary staffs, teachers, students and surrounding communities. One of the war warriors came forward and spoke about his experience and accepted the changes that needs to done for a better life. One warrior proclaimed to change his ways for his District because he has not witness a PPC set foot in remote Tebi LLG. The guests were moved by the initiative of the community for school and expressed a warm heart of satisfaction gesture to the school staff and the surrounding communities in Tebi LLG. PPC Tondop hugged them with gratitude and encouraged them to live by the bylaws they have signed and pledged to uphold. “Almost a year since I took the Office for PPC Heal, I have never witnessed such a Memorandum of Understanding like this, especially in Hela Province.” “I am blessed to witness such a launching to protect and improve the school well and to promote the children’s pathways to building a future for them and for you as a community." PPC Tondop encouraged them to think of after 20 years how the children would turn out to be thanks to what has happened today. "Education has the power to develop our children’s future, it can build our children to be, doctors, engineers, pilots, police or army, or even to be the Prime Minister." Furthermore PPC Tondop reiterated that the illegal firearms that you possess will be the death of you. “Illegal firearms will not help you inside or outside the law." "If you have illegal firearms, the government will still hunt you down for your crimes.” Tondop added that there must be collaboration between the police and the community. He further stressed the Hela Provincial Law and order Program Next year 2024 where stakeholders and professionals living and working outside of hela to witness the launching of Gun surrender Program. With the successful launch witnessed, PPC encouraged more similar bylaws in the four districts of Hela Province and will personally ensure the laws are enforced. Meanwhile, Hela Community Development Youth and Religion, Director Daniel Tumberi expressed his thanks to the PPC and security personnel for witnessing the occasion. Mentioning also that he had never witnessed successive PPC’S in the past years present in such activities in remote areas in Hela. Hagapo Primary now is set under an MOU to improve the lives of the young students and the nearby communities to develop and grow together. The By-laws express complete compliance from the school and communities near the school premises. • No outsiders trespassing through school premises • Zero Tolerance of alcohol in and around of school boundaries by villagers or staffs • Nil fighting inside the school among students or techer verses students • No cultivation and consumption of marijuana and home brewing by surrounding communities. • Not stealing from the school.

The Team Papua New Guinea (PNG) is now in its preparation stages to focus all their efforts for the upcoming pacific Games after the confirmation of K8.5 million. Prime Minister James Marape announced the during the Team PNG Farwell event at the sir john guise Indoor Complex on Friday 10th November that the government will be supporting team PNG with K8.5 million Kina for their travel to Honiara this month. This sponsor effort would accommodate 514 athletes with officials to see team PNG participate against the rest of the pacific on 20 out of 24 sporting events that is offered. This commitment from the Honourable James Marape came three days before the first group of athletes board to Honiara. This commitment has initiated hope in the minds of the number of teams and athletes who had doubted their participation this year. Now with a doubt PNG athletes will participate with pride and joy. PM Marape expressed his deep apology to Team PNG for the delay of the payment of the levy fee. “I need to apologise if you felt we did not care. Though i am on the top if the chain of command and delegate actions but there are also those in between, I do apologise for the instructions that were niot carried out.” He encouragement to athletes, officials and team management to be healthy ambassadors of the country and carry the Flag proudly. “We stand by you every step of the way as you go, and when you come back to our Country”. “You are carrying our country’s Flag, carry it proudly.” Papua New Guniea Olympics President Sir John Dawanincure embraced and encouraged qathletes to do their best st and trust the process and not the outcome. Team PNG Chef De Mission Faye-Lina Lalo said our Team PNG on focused on achieving as much Gold Medals as possible. Chef de mission Lalo also expressed her deepest gratitude to Marape Government for their commitment to Team PNG success for the games this year. “While PNG is the biggest nation in the Pacific, we have our own challenges and she thanked the Prime Minister for his commitment.” The first team PNG contingent leaves 13th November 2023 with the games beginning with the opening ceremony on the 19th November and closing on December 2nd. Our Team PNG will participate in the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The Buk bilong Pikinini Association recently held its Annual General Meeting for 2023 with members of the association, corporate partners, organisations and fellow NGOs at APEC Haus and via zoom to elect an additional five new Directors to BbP’s board. BbP’s current directors include Andrew Dare, Area Manager – PNG & Solomon Islands, Bronwyn Wright, CEO - Sir Brian Bell Foundation, Allyson Young, Manager - Select PNG, Mihyun Bray, representing Steamships Trading Company, Tamzin Wardley, Independent Director & Treasurer and Anne-Sophie Hermann - BbP Founder and Chairperson. The New Directors elected included Shaun Pini, Theodist Procurement & Product Manager, John Kawage, Department of Education a/Deputy Secretary Policy & Provincial Services, Jamie Mitchell, General Manager, Hebou Constructions (PNG) Limited, David Valentine, CEO Niunet and Salome Delabu, Marketing Manager Credit Corporation. In a media release, BbP’s Founder and Chairperson, Anne-Sophie Hermann and Executive Officer Leanne Resson presented an update and report on the organisations’ current partnerships, projects and impact in communities where BbP operates while the Treasurer, Tamzin Wardley and Finance Manager Louise Vuvut presented the audited financial statements that are carried out by Deloitte. “It is BbP’s mission to help to increase literacy rates in Papua New Guinea via the establishment of Library Learning Centres which provide a free Early Childhood Education program and library services and to foster a love of reading and learning through book publishing and the donation of School Library Kits to schools across the country.” “Many school children have difficulties in reading, writing, speaking, listening and have very basic numeracy skills.” A recent report was published, and stated that the Education Sector Implementation Grant and Multiplier (in BEST PNG, 2019) showed that just 23.7% of grade 5 students nationally reached the expected proficiency level for literacy that is lower than the regional Pacific neighbors. The Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment report 2015 (Educational Quality Assessment Program, 2016), which reported that students’ proficiency level in literacy in PNG was 14.33% compared to the Pacific Regional rate of 17.78% confirms the published report. “Reasons cited in the report include: weak teaching skills and knowledge, diverse languages, frequent teacher and student absenteeism and lack of appropriate reading books and teaching support materials." BbP was founded in 2007 and has been in operation for the past 15 years in PNG and the organization has along the way managed to secure a number of notable notable achievements like: ◦ 16 years as a local NGO in partnership with over 40 different corporates and strategic partners; ◦ 2 million high quality books have been shipped to BbP’s warehouses over the past 15 years. Total number of books distributed from 2021 to current stands at 257,415. Books have been distributed to over 400 schools & communities in all provinces across PNG. Most schools receive the donation of 1000 books to re-establish their library; ◦ Established more than 25 Learning Centres across the country with partners; ◦ Long term accountability for all partners that BbP partners with; ◦ Existing MoUs/MoAs/Service Agreements that guide all BbP’s activities; ◦ More than 10,000 children have attended BbP’s 1 year ECE program since its inception; ◦ Developed a PNG-specific digital skills program and website for teachers www.bbpdigitallearning.org and a digital learning program and app for students; ◦ Published 25 books and readers specifically for PNG children (culturally appropriate readers); ◦ Developed a Special Needs Inclusive Education program - 2 books have been published and a sign language dictionary with videos planned to be completed by the end of the year; ◦ Continuous dialogue with NDoE to highlight the impact of BbP’s programs, with support from partners. Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) works with its partners to establish Library Learning Centres across the country, which offers a free Early Childhood Education to 5-year-old children. The program includes literacy, numeracy, digital learning, health awareness and cultural learning. “We are grateful for the amazing support provided to Buk bilong Pikinini by all the organisations’ members." "We are looking forward to continue our work to provide the best possible education support for the children and students in Papua New Guinea.” Meanwhile, BbP also offers teacher upskilling-training in its programs, library services and special needs teaching and also publishes its own books featuring PNG children and PNG culture. bbpdigitallearning.org

The City Pharmacy Limited (CPL) Group, through its brand City Pharmacy through a media statement on the 10th of November 2023, have announced its entry into the Miss Bird of Paradise PNG (Miss BOPPNG) Pageant, previously known as the Miss PNG Pacific Islands Pageant, which is a platform known for young women speaking on issues of importance in society and becoming ambassadors of PNG. City Pharmacy as a well-known and trusted health brand across Papua New Guinea, with the platform Miss BOPPNG presents, this would be a unique opportunity for City Pharmacy to advocate on the importance of health, education, inclusion and well-being and have announced that the group is proud to sponsor their first ever contestant that will be competing as Miss City Pharmacy. The contestant is 20 year old Miss Tyla Singirok, who is from a mixed parentage of Central and Madang Province and is a final year Mining Engineering student at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. Singirok added she is passionate about advocating for education and inclusion and has decided to enter the platform to further speak on issues young people, especially young women and people with disabilities face and has thanked CPL and the Miss BOPPNG for this opportunity. “This platform encourages young Papua New Guinean women to be taken on a journey of self-discovery and improvement, by stepping outside of our comfort zones to grow in confidence, while advocating for good.” Chairlady of the Miss BOPPNG platform, Anna Bais and her committee were present at the meeting and thanked CPL for being the first sponsor to come on board the Miss BOPPNG pageant. “We acknowledge the work City Pharmacy has been doing in our communities and we appreciate them coming on board to sponsor a contestant for the very first time.” Meanwhile Christopher Lam, CPL Group’s Marketing and Communications Manager further added that the group was excited to sponsor the young Miss Singirok. “We are excited to sponsor Tyla this year and believe she will represent not just our brand, but the young people she will be speaking for as well.” “We also welcome Wandid Amini Korimbo from Niugini Native, as Miss City Pharmacy’s official designer in this journey.”

Wameblood’s exclusive dinner concert for A Worthy Cause hosted specifically to raise funds for a new Four in one double classroom for the Tanuga Primary School in the Kutubu District was held on Friday night and turned out to be a success. The concert featured a children choir with a few kids from Tanuga Primary performing Wameblood’s song ‘Hope for PNG’ and some of the nation’s top singers such as Mereani MAsani, Mal Meninga Kuri, Kronos and Jnr Kro and the Wameblood group with Soul Harmony backed by the Cool Range Band. Yawari was happy with the turnout and in his opening remarks thanked each and every one for making an effort stating that this is part of his initiative to do something for his beautiful raun wara in Kutubu District. “With no proper health care for our mothers and children education, we blame the government, the landowners but who is at fault?" "We can’t keep blaming each other because nothing will happen if we keep shifting the blame.” Lydia Warubi, the nation’s pioneer female process technician in the Oil and Gas Industry with Santos in her address spoke about the struggle each child is facing, growing up in Tanuga as a former Tanuga Primary student. “We sat on the floors in the classrooms for lessons in my time and I am happy learning about the steps that Johnny is taking to change that for them [kids].” Warubi had attended Tanuga primary whilst doing her grade 2-6 and had the opportunity of furthering her education outside of the province while most of her peers resorted to marriage and building a family in the village. “I was fortunate enough to eventually get an apprenticeship with the Santos group and worked my way up from there to where I am now.” She stated that on my breaks she often went home to volunteer in the school and helped to teach the children. “Education is the most powerful tool that can change the world.” Meanwhile, Member for Nipa-Kutubu, Billy Joseph praised Yawari and the Foe Association for organizing this concert as this fundraising is a testament to the lack of rural development in Nipa-Kutubu. “Let’s think big and work together on this initiative.” The guests enjoyed performances from a children’s choir from Tanuga primary and some of the artists that have collaborated with Wameblood such as ‘Mama Masalai’ Mereani Masani, Mal Meninga Kuri, ‘Style Kumul’ Kronos and Jnr Kro singing some of their hits. The night ended with Wameblood and Soul Harmony belting out ‘Meri Lewa’ and ‘Surakabo’ and were backed by the Cool Range Band. The National Gaming Control Board were platinum sponsors for the event with the support from Santos and the Mineral Resources Development Company all backing the Foe Association chairman in this initiative. Member for Nipa-Kutubu Billy Joseph, on the night, pledged K500, 000 from the District DDA’s office while Hela Governor, Philip Undialu also pledged K200, 000 to the ‘No Child Left Behind’ fundraiser. Painting auctioned at K20, 000 with a container of Books and computers for teachers in Kutubu on the way from Australia.

As the Women in Leadership Retreat came to an end today, Central Governor Rufina Peter was on hand to give her closing remarks, to a day of inspirational and insightful discussions, that was held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. She said going forward, the priority was how to get more women into the local level government (LLG) and eventually, onto the floor of parliament. She said now is the time to start working in their respective capacities to realise these aspirations. Governor Rufina made a special mention of Dame Carol Kidu, who was also in attendance at the retreat today, saying she was an excellent role model for current and aspiring female political leaders. "And I am sure that at the end of today, we are more enriched as a result of hearing and contributing to these discussions today." The Central Governor thanked United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for their continued support to female political leaders and for their input in today's retreat. She said the experience that the women had today, will be beneficial to them in the near future and aid them pin down the specifics of how to go about getting more women into political leadership roles. "It's important for us as leaders and future leaders will depend on our performance and our performance is measured by the impact on the ground." Governor Peter added that today's retreat will ensure that they all lead with an impact.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Papua New Guinea, Professor Betty Lovai was part of a four-person panel, discussing the topic of 'Navigating the Present: Gender Equality in Contemporary PNG', at the Women in Leadership Retreat in Port Moresby. Professor Lovai said the main challenge in this conversation is mindset and a change of mindset. She explained that she took on this challenge personally, as a women leader herself and in her space as a female academic at the University of Papua New Guinea. "Changing the mindset of people, starts through education." "It has to start from home to primary school and up to University." She explained that in her role as the Executive Dean of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, she decided to introduce gender studies. "Through this program, students can learn about what is gender or gender relationships." Professor Lovai said this program has become popular among students. "I hope that through gender courses offered, the students, the future leaders of this country, are informed about women, women's issues & gender issues in society." She added the objective of the university is to educate the minds of young Papua New Guineans coming through so they can see things differently, all while keeping one's culture at the centre of the discussion. "You need to see what is around you and adjust your life to accommodate things that work for the good of the society." Professor Lovai rounded off her remarks in the discussion, by saying that today, there are far more females graduating from university than ever before. "We can't change culture over night, but we can change the mindset through education.”

The Boromi Technical School (BTS) finally refurbished the 125 KVA generator after laying still for thirteen years due to technical issues when the school was of as a high school. Now it provides light and electricity to the entire school campus. The school board chairman Amos Kaul said the electrical works was funded through the school support grants from Simbu Provincial Government through the Provincial Education Division. “We spent a lot of money on an 8-ton truck to move the generator from the previous location near Boromi Primary School (BPS).” “Our old wooden bridge did not have the strength to cater the generator’s weight, so it was replaced to move the generator across school grounds.” Whitestone Electrical and Building accepted the lowest bid of K50, 000 for the job, and doing a satisfactory work, the chairman explained. The electrical work took almost a month to connect service lines to seven homes while completing minor electrical works. Deputy Principal Peter Kora added the conducive learning environment for both the students and staff with access to electricity in the campus. Mr Kora also in charge of administration addressed the school population of 2,000 students next year as the school is enrolling Gr 7 students under the 166 structure. The Simbu Governor Noah Kool travelling at night was proud and marvelled at the beauty the school security lights showcased lighting up the campus vicinity. It was later explained that the generator’s capacity to supply electricity to the nearby communities on the pat and use arrangements. Mr Amos Kaul stressed the second maintenance grants this year will be focused on maintenance of seven teacher’s homes including water and sanitation to the houses together with the electrical works. Mr Kaul further appealed to Governor Noah Kook and Simbu district Education decision to concentrate on BTS to affirm the right infrastructure and change the Day School status to a boarding school as majority are day students.

The South Pacific Brewery according has joined other HEINEKEN Operating companies around the world in observing Global Quantity week with a focus on quality and food safety commitments. This year’s theme is “Quality2Win in the Market” and was celebrated from the 6th-10th November, 2023. In a media release, Technological Manager, Alex Schuhlein stated how quality plays a vital role in SP Brewery. “The quality of our beers is a truly end-to-end responsibility starting from the selection of our all -natural raw materials and close monitoring and control of our brewing and packaging processes.” “It also involves our customer service and sales departments and of course, the bartenders serving our beers, who all ensure we deliver a superior product to our customers and consumers.” Meanwhile South Pacific Brewery has attained the highest globally recognized certifications in Food Safety and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). 1. ISO 90001: 2015 2. ISO 22000:2018 3. TQCSI HACCP Code:2020 “We have used the opportunity for every employee to reflect and commit to the role they play with the aim that every single can, bottle, and keg that reaches our customers meet our quality standards and externally certified and accredited food safety systems at all times.”

The Women in Leadership Retreat is being hosted by the National Parliament & the Bougainville House of Representatives today at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. The first order of the day were welcoming remarks by supporting actor UNDP's Resident Representative as well as by the Governor of the Central Province, followed on by two sessions of penal discussions. The first panel discussion involved, amongst four other speakers, the Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment (GEWE) & National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop. He began by reiterating that Gender Equality is a fundamental role in Papua New Guinea's constitution. "It is a goal that should be defining our nation and our people." He said this topic and conversation is important and people need to acknowledge this, as there remains a misconception that gender equality is a foreign agenda. "This is a national goal, it's in our constitution." Governor Parkop added that everybody deserves to live in a country that allows and enables them to realize their full potential; and this include women. "Unless we start making real and tangible action now, 48 years later, we still be having this same conversation, and we will still be failing our country." Governor Parkop further stated the current government recognised this need and have made the decision to make the GEWE Committee a permanent parliamentary committee. "We are not neglecting our responsibilities and parliament has made the decision that equality is the core issue here." He said this is current government's way of changing the narrative and advancing the discussions that are going to bring about the positive change. Governor Parkop said as the Chairman of the GEWE Committee, Parliament also gave him the mandate to make men uncomfortable. "You don't want to change, but the nation needs to change.” “And I don't think we men alone can change this nation, we need women, we need to bring them up and they will change this nation together with us."