National Cultural Commission forging ties at the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture in Hawaii
Members of the National Cultural Commission [NCC] executive management and board are using the stage of the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii to establish close-working relationship, globally.
On the sidelines of the festival, an agreement was signed by NCC and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies [IFCCA], followed by positive talks to soon ink a cultural agreement to link PNG’s capital city with a city in the United States.
IFACCA executive director Moreno Mujica made this statement when welcoming PNG into its fold as its newest member.
“PNG phenomenal cultural expression and diversity is an agenda we are missing… Full national member to work with us to help build this road map of cultural policy development and implementation together with 91 institutions across the world.”
National Cultural Commission executive director Steven Kilanda said the office responsible for preserving and promoting the country’s culture and arts has now become a full member to IFACCA after 22 years and “PNG is happy to be a member of the IFACC… and be part of the global family.
“NCC PNG, main mission is to promote, protect, safeguard and market our arts and culture [and] to do that we have to work with international organizations… we need technologies and collaboration and international partners to safeguard and protect our culture, promote and market our culture at the international level, we need such platform to drive our mission.
NCC acting board chairman Professor Leo Marai gave assurance of the board’s support, “it [will] be formally endorsed by the board in the next meeting. In the international stage we must connect more” because our nation is culturally diverse.
Furthermore, Mr Kilanda, as head of delegation to the festival, accompanied by the acting board chairman Prof Leo Marai held positive discussions to establish cultural sister city agreement between Port Moresby and Long Beach, California, in the United States with Susan Redfield, president of sister cities of Long Beach [picture insert].
"Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson shares his enthusiasm about building this new partnership" explained Redfield.
apua New Guinea Head of the Delegation for Pacific Festival of Arts and Culture and the Excutive Director of National Cultural Commission and Acting Chairman of NCC Board Prof Leo Marai met with the USA Government officials and NGO representatives regarding the Sister City Mou signing this morning at the Hawaii Convention Center.
Susan Redfield, President of Sister Cities of Long Beach met with PNG team led by Steven Kilanda and his team about the upcoming sister city relationship between Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and Long Beach, California.
"Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson shares his enthusiasm about building this new partnership" explained Redfield.
"Our two cities share many vibrant and positive similarities, like the strength of our cultures, our music, and our ports, as well as issues of concern, like the environmental impact of climate change on our coastal regions in the Pacific. "