Senior Australian faith-based NGO leaders today joined Papua New Guinean Church leaders in Port Moresby to visit frontline Church-led community programs supported by the Australian Government.
The visit brought together Reverend Dr John Dean, Executive Director of the Anglican Board of Mission, and Melissa Lipsett, Executive Director of Baptist Aid Australia with leaders from PNG’s mainline Churches to see first-hand how Churches are working to improve lives in PNG communities.
The delegation visited the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea Literacy School in Port Moresby, where church-led adult literacy programs are teaching people to read, write, and gain essential life skills.
The school is supported through the Church Partnership Program, which works with PNG churches and Australian faith-based organisations to strengthen service delivery in education, health and social inclusion.
The group also visited St Therese Urban Clinic in Hohola, run by Catholic Church Health Services, which provides essential medical care to people living with HIV through support from the PNG–Australia Transition to Health (PATH) program, reflecting Australia’s continued partnership with PNG churches in delivering trusted, community-based health services.
Melissa Lipsett said the visits demonstrated the practical impact of cooperation between PNG’s churches and their Australian faith partners.
“In Port Moresby today, I have seen what faith in action looks like,” Ms Lipsett said. “Together, Australians and Papua New Guineans are translating their shared values into practical support for those that need it most.”
The Right Reverend Nathan Ingen, Acting Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea, said the visit showed how support from Australia is helping churches meet real needs in their communities.
“With support through the Church Partnership Program, our Church is able to run literacy classes that help people read, write and better support their families,” Archbishop Ingen said. “Australia’s partnership has helped us strengthen this work on the ground, so we can respond to what our communities actually need. It is practical support that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”
ENDS
PNG and Australian Church Leaders with Australian High Commission Counsellor, Mr. Craig Gillies, at Port Moresby Anglican Diocese.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100