Department For Community Development and Religion

Minister Peter Welcomes Pacific Delegates, Opens CoP Conference

12 May 2026

On behalf of the Government and people of Papua New Guinea, Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Hon. Jason Peter, has officially welcomed delegates from 12 Pacific countries to Papua New Guinea.

The delegates are in Port Moresby to attend the 2nd Community of Practice Conference on Social Protection in the Pacific.

The event commenced with a welcome dinner held at the Hilton Hotel yesterday, where Minister Peter warmly received and officially welcomed the participants.

In opening the three-day conference today, Minister Peter said PNG is honoured to host representatives and practitioners from across the Pacific region.

“This Community of Practice for social protection provides an important platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, experiences, and practical lessons.

“Through peer learning, collaboration, and open dialogue, we can identify practical approaches to better support and protect the vulnerable and marginalised members of our societies,” he said.

He emphasised that social protection is more than just a policy discussion, noting that it is about protecting lives, preserving dignity, and building resilience for people across the region.

Minister Peter encouraged all participants to engage openly, share generously, and actively contribute to the discussions throughout the conference.

He also thanked the SP-CoP team, the World Bank, the Australian Government, and other key partners for their support in hosting the regional event.

The conference aims to strengthen regional collaboration and promote the exchange of ideas to better support vulnerable populations across the Pacific.

The meeting is expected to conclude this Thursday.

Kerema District Signs DCDC Agreement with DFCDR

8 May 2026

Kerema District has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR) to establish a District Community Development Centre (DCDC).

The agreement was signed in Port Moresby yesterday by Kerema MP and Minister for Finance, Thomas Opa, Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Hon. Jason Peter, and DFCDR Secretary Mr Jerry Ubase.

Minister Jason Peter congratulated the Kerema District Development Authority for committing to the project.

“This agreement is an important step towards strengthening community development services at the district level.

“We signed MoAs with a number of districts last year, and this year Kerema becomes the second district after Kerowagi to come on board,” he said.

The DCDC project is estimated to cost K2 million and will be jointly funded by the department and the district, with each contributing 50 percent of the total cost.

Minister Peter said the main purpose of the DCDC is to ensure the department’s protection and empowerment programs are delivered effectively at the community level so that no one is left behind.

Minister Opa thanked the department for focusing on services that directly benefit vulnerable people at the community level.

“I consider this a very important infrastructure project for Kerema District.

“On behalf of our people and the Kerema DDA team, we are not only here to sign the MoA, but we want to see this project fully implemented,” he said.

Witnessing the signing were Acting Director for the National Office of Child and Family Services Mr Jerry Wap, the Kerema DDA team, and senior managers from the department.

Bisini Bowling Club Members Attend Financial Literacy Training

7 May 2026

More than 55 members of the Bisini Bowling Club and their families are taking part in a four-day Financial Literacy Retail Training facilitated by the Department's Informal Economy Section.

The training covers budgeting, saving, and money management, alongside awareness sessions from key financial institutions.

Representatives from Mama Bank, MiBank, and TISA Bank attended the opening day to share information on their products and services.

Participants were given the opportunity to open bank accounts on-site and engage directly with bank representatives, making financial services more accessible and practical.

Day one featured three sessions delivered by the Department’s Informal Economy team, focusing on budgeting, money management, and developing personal budgets, followed by group presentations.

Director for Program Development, Mr. George Kulisi, officially opened the training and encouraged participants to fully engage.

“The ability to budget and save is the foundation of improved living standards and equipping families with these skills helps build stronger and more resilient communities,” he said.

In addition to core financial skills, the program also introduces adult learning methods, enabling participants to share knowledge within their communities.

One participant, Margret, said she is eager to learn more about budgeting and plans to open an account with Mama Bank.

“Saving is something everyone should learn early in life, but training like this helps us understand why it matters and how to do it properly,” she said.

Participants will receive certificates upon completion on Friday, 8 May, with many expected to have opened new bank accounts during the training.