For the first time in seven years, the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP) proudly held its Strategic Planning and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The AGM brought together representatives from provincial Organisations of Persons with Disabilities for a significant and long-awaited gathering.
Throughout the week-long event, participants reflected on the strengths, challenges, and barriers faced by their organisations, while identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement with the government and key stakeholders.
Key discussions focused on reviewing PNGADP’s Constitution and updating both the National Strategic Plan and National Advocacy Plan, which will guide the organisation’s direction over the next five years.
The Prime Minister, the Hon. James Marape MP, attended and met with PNGADP executives and representatives from the Department for Community Development and Religion. The Prime Minister expressed his support for the Disability Services Bill, which is being prepared for submission to the National Executive Council. Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged the support of the PNG-Australia Partnership.
The Australian Government is proud to support PNGADP through the Building Community Engagement in PNG (BCEP) program. These efforts are critical to strengthening decision making, setting priorities, and driving forward inclusive development initiatives that ultimately deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.
Quotes attributable to Ms Jacqueline Boga Garoau, Co-Chair of PNGADP
“It’s important that you know what issues you are bringing to the table and to advocate for establishment of the Provincial Coordinating Committee on Disability.”
“When you’re on the committee, you can influence your members to support with funding. Because we need to focus our efforts on strengthening advocacy apart from writing proposals for project funding.”
Quotes attributable to Ms Helen Royal, East New Britain Organisation of Disabled Persons
“One thing that interested me at this meeting was the activity planning we did.”
“I see this as a pathway for me to develop my province’s activity plan myself, because usually an able-bodied person does it for me. This is a way forward for me to do it myself and only ask the Disability Desk Officer to progress it.”
Members of PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons having discussions.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100