Data network website launched

The #PNGData4Development Network website, which will serve as a platform for stakeholders to make all development data more easily accessible, was recently launched in Port Moresby.

Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, officiated at the launch on Tuesday, October 24, during the commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary of the United Nations.

“The Department of National Planning and Monitoring, in close consultation with other departments, and with support from the United Nations, is adapting the Sustainable Development Goals to our local context,” said Minister Maru during his keynote speech.

“The key commitment of the Goals to leave no one behind indicates a paradigm shift for the development agenda, which requires accurate, reliable, timely and disaggregated data to support the measurement of progress towards these goals.

“This website makes data widely available to the public and creates a community of practice.”

Roy Trivedy, the UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, said: “To achieve the ambitious set of 17 Goals, we can only do better by collectively working with communities and the people of Papua New Guinea and by forging stronger relationships with the Government, as well as with other development actors such as the civil society, private sector, academia and development partners.

“Most importantly, we need to invest in young people. Youth have a very special role in advocating for the Goals as they are the future of this nation.

“Today’s events showcase our commitment of working with and for the people of Papua New Guinea, while recognising the importance of engaging with the youth as nation-builders.”

The commemoration began with a breakfast meeting with Government representatives, heads of mission, civil society representatives and the UN Country team. The meeting provided a platform for the official launch of the #PNGData4Development Network Website, the awarding of Youth Champions for SDGs, and was followed by a Speakers’ Series on the Sustainable Development Goals attended by over 400 students.

The Awards Ceremony for the 2017 Youth Champions for the Sustainable Development Goals featured five outstanding young leaders who are contributing to the attainment of the Goals in their communities. The 2017 Champions are: Mr. Josek Wesley (Jiwaka); Ms. Yanamlyn Yana (Gulf); Mr. Emos James (Eastern Highlands); Mr. Lazarus Towa (NCD); and Ms. Yolarnie Amepou (Gulf).

This year, the Champions have been chosen based on their specific self-initiative projects in the five key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnerships.

The Sustainable Development Goals Speakers’ Series had over 400 participants from schools around Port Moresby, the representatives of provincial school associations from the University of Papua New Guinea as well as United Nations staff.

Prominent speakers who inspired the audience were Mr. David Toua (the President of the Business Council PNG), Ms. Lydia Dimokari (the 2016 Youth Champion), Mr. Christopher Amini, Mr. Milton Kisapai, and Mr. Ryan Pini (the Team PNG SDGs Champions), the Sanap Wantaim Youth Outreach Team, and included breakdance performances by the Foundation Crew.

Students from the following schools participated in the fun-filled event: St. Theresa Primary School, Port Moresby National High School, Kilakila Primary School, Tubuserea Primary School, Kopkop College, Hohola Demonstration School, Hagara Primary School, La Salle Technical College, Gordon’s Secondary School and Paradise Private Secondary School.

 (Sanap Wantaim youth advocate had a session on Spoken Words for gender-based violence)

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Press Release