Presentation/s:

Of the 6.7 million people living in Papua New Guinea, approximately 87 per cent live in rural areas.

A new report by CARE International in PNG and the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre draws on a survey of a remote and disadvantaged area in Eastern Highlands Province to provide a powerful illustration of life in rural and remote Papua New Guinea for a disadvantaged community. The survey is placed in the context of over forty years of research into poverty in rural Papua New Guinea which shows that the poorest places are more likely to be isolated from towns, infrastructure and basic services and provide few employment opportunities.

The people living in these communities are more likely to be malnourished, poorly educated and suffer from health problems. The data collected and the analysis undertaken provide the baseline for a CARE International in PNG project supported by AusAID and conducted in partnership with the district administration of Oburu Wonenara, EHP. The project aims to help communities develop the skills to plan and advocate for essential development. The report is a call to action to government and civil society, and a powerful reminder that these communities should not be overlooked just because they are out of sight.

Speakers include:

Hon. Mr Sam Basil, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Government of Papua New Guinea (TBC)

Rt Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta, Minister for Public Enterprises, Government of Papua New Guinea

Thomas Webster, Director, National Research Institute, Papua New Guinea

Professor Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre

Matt Morris, Deputy Director, Development Policy Centre,

Cate Rogers, report author, Development Policy Centre

Peter Raynes, Country Director, CARE International in PNG

Wala Ola, CARE International in PNG

>> read CARE blog
>> read Devpolicy Blog