PARKOP TOLD CULTURAL SHOW: FORGE GOOD CULTURAL VALUES TO DEVELOP HOMOGENOUS FUTURE
Whilst celebrating the cultural inheritance in style, it must be recognized that the cultures celebrated today are those that defined us when we were mere clans and tribes.
But now as an independent nation, we must create cultural values, norms and behaviour that also define us as a nation seeking a prosperous future.
This was part of the key message Honourable Governor Powes Parkop conveyed today (Saturday, July 28th) parents and guardians, students, teachers, dignitaries and others in his keynote speech at 23rd cultural show of Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby.
Mr Parkop said some of these values were in faith that they adopted Christianity which promotes love, peace, respect for oneself and others, solidarity and forgiveness amongst others.
He added that the country’s Constitution gives them values they must also promote as a nation.
“They are given prominence in our five National Goals and Directive principles, and the basic social obligations also. For us to be a better nation, live quality lives and secure a better future, we must hold on to those cultural values that are good and positive whilst giving up on those that are bad.
“We must also incorporate or adopt those from other cultures that are positive and develop a contemporary culture for our nation that defines us today and the future,” he told the show.
Governor Parkop called on students, teachers and others to do away with violence saying it is a bad cultural practice which people resort to to resolve disputes or grievances.
“We must also give up on our treatment of women as second-class citizens and the fact that Parliament is dominated by males only. That shows we have not progressed much in this respect. It’s a bad cultural practice as well.
"We must give it up. We also must give up habits like chewing and spitting everywhere and not respecting our environment, our city and our country. These are God’s blessing to us and when we respect them, we honour God,” he said.
Mr Parkop challenged parents and guardians have been challenged to instil on their children discipline, good behaviour and moral values that are significant to make Port Moresby City free of violence, graffiti, plastic, litter and betelnut spittle.
On this pathway, he said, it will help National Capital District Commission’s bid for the city that is clean, safe, liveable, peaceful, respectful, great, smart and amazing.
Mr Parkop said the show provided the forum for students to celebrate the cultural inheritance defined by their ancestors.
He queried what had the current generation got to create something that is also worth celebrating by the future generation.
This is, he said, they have to do away with bad cultures and embrace good ones to secure a better future.
He added that better future means taking ownership of the city, respecting each other and learning to women folks as equal partner and not inferior.
“We want to see a city that men respect women. Our women and girls can walk around free of intimidation, harassment and violence. That is the kind of future that we all should embrace. I hope today we can lay down the foundation for them,” he told them.
He emphasized that culture should not be used as an excuse to chew betelnut.
“It is not a good culture to hold onto. It is not something to be proud of. It is my culture. Our ancestors used not to chew and spit it everywhere unlike today. It used to happen as part of peace making. It was used for special purpose.
“When your guest comes to your house, you give them betelnut to make them feel at home. It was not a commercial entity.
Whilst celebrating the cultural inheritance in style, it must be recognized that the cultures celebrated today are those that defined us when we were mere clans and tribes.
But now as an independent nation, we must create cultural values, norms and behaviour that also define us as a nation seeking a prosperous future.
This was part of the key message Honourable Governor Powes Parkop conveyed today (Saturday, July 28th) parents and guardians, students, teachers, dignitaries and others in his keynote speech at 23rd cultural show of Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby.
Mr Parkop said some of these values were in faith that they adopted Christianity which promotes love, peace, respect for oneself and others, solidarity and forgiveness amongst others.
He added that the country’s Constitution gives them values they must also promote as a nation.
“They are given prominence in our five National Goals and Directive principles, and the basic social obligations also. For us to be a better nation, live quality lives and secure a better future, we must hold on to those cultural values that are good and positive whilst giving up on those that are bad.
“We must also incorporate or adopt those from other cultures that are positive and develop a contemporary culture for our nation that defines us today and the future,” he told the show.
Governor Parkop called on students, teachers and others to do away with violence saying it is a bad cultural practice which people resort to to resolve disputes or grievances.
“We must also give up on our treatment of women as second-class citizens and the fact that Parliament is dominated by males only. That shows we have not progressed much in this respect. It’s a bad cultural practice as well.
"We must give it up. We also must give up habits like chewing and spitting everywhere and not respecting our environment, our city and our country. These are God’s blessing to us and when we respect them, we honour God,” he said.
Mr Parkop challenged parents and guardians have been challenged to instil on their children discipline, good behaviour and moral values that are significant to make Port Moresby City free of violence, graffiti, plastic, litter and betelnut spittle.
On this pathway, he said, it will help National Capital District Commission’s bid for the city that is clean, safe, liveable, peaceful, respectful, great, smart and amazing.
Mr Parkop said the show provided the forum for students to celebrate the cultural inheritance defined by their ancestors.
He queried what had the current generation got to create something that is also worth celebrating by the future generation.
This is, he said, they have to do away with bad cultures and embrace good ones to secure a better future.
He added that better future means taking ownership of the city, respecting each other and learning to women folks as equal partner and not inferior.
“We want to see a city that men respect women. Our women and girls can walk around free of intimidation, harassment and violence. That is the kind of future that we all should embrace. I hope today we can lay down the foundation for them,” he told them.
He emphasized that culture should not be used as an excuse to chew betelnut.
“It is not a good culture to hold onto. It is not something to be proud of. It is my culture. Our ancestors used not to chew and spit it everywhere unlike today. It used to happen as part of peace making. It was used for special purpose.
“When your guest comes to your house, you give them betelnut to make them feel at home. It was not a commercial entity.
Now we have commercialized it, we are abusing it. This is what we should think about it. I hope we are not here to celebrate chewing and spitting it everywhere. It is ugly and unhygienic. It is embarrassing as well to spit in front of other people,” he said.
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