Papua New Guinea’s Hip Hop dance sensation WanSquad recently took gold at the 2024 World Hip-Hop Dance Championships putting PNG on the map. In an exclusive interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, the crew was still in the process of recovering from their epic win on Saturday August 10th (Arizona, USA Time). WanSquad’s Manager and Creative Director, Pyan Ng, stated that this was their fourth year competing in the World HipHop Dance Championships. “We sacrificed a lot coming into 2024, we we’re confident that we’d be placed in the top 3.” “We had rehearsals 4 days a week; 3-4 hours of practice; we started in January prepping for this event.” The group had also faced quite a few challenges in their journey towards the Dance Championships including health, personal, familial and work issues. “I think it's part of the experience when you're working towards something, the journey is not always perfect." "These challenges really tested our faith, our work ethic, our brotherhood and our connection with each other, yet in spite of it all, we pushed through and made it through to the finals." Additionally, the crew revealed that most countries competing did not have any knowledge of Papua New Guinea, until WanSquad participated in the competition. WanSquad would like to thank their major sponsors Mountain Dew and Indomie for their support and the people of the Pacific. "We wouldn't be able to participate in this competition without their sponsorship." "We'd also like to thank our country, our families, friends and to all the Pacific Islands that are supporting us." Ng added that the crew wants to be a positive influence and role model for youngsters with similar dreams. "We'd like to inspire, motivate and encourage those who always wanted to step into the hip-hop international world stage to compete and represent their country and people - we'd like to see more participation not only from PNG, but from other Pacific Islands as well." WanSquad advises any person who is interested in getting involved in hip-hop and the dance scene   to work alongside like-minded individuals. "You should keep company with individuals who share the same mindset as you - these trustworthy individuals will propel you to achieve your dreams and goals." "Keep in mind that these things require sacrifice and hard work." "Be patient when your dreams don't come into fruition quickly as God has his own timing." "Be persistent and never give up!" WanSquad will return to the country on August 21st, 2024.

The 2024 Inaugural Youth Summit reached its 3rd day on Monday 12th August, 2024. Under the theme: Empowering Youths for a Better and Progressive NCD, the summit was an initiative by Governor for NCD Powes Parkop aimed at inspiring, discussing ideas and bringing more opportunities young people in the nation’s capital. Present at the summit was Governor Parkop, Resident Coordinator UN, Richard Howard and Prime Minister James Marape. While speaking, PM Marape stated that education still remains the number one pursuit among youths. He added that it was his goal to see any student left behind in their school journey. “We want every youth to make it to Grade 12, in order to do so, we have opened up many paths to get you there.” He further encouraged the youths who may face difficulty obtaining employment saying that getting a job is crucial, but they must be innovative and create their own jobs whether they complete school or not. “Life is not measured by university degrees.” He also commended the NCD Governor for the initiative and for working with youths in the city. Meanwhile Governor Parkop stressed the importance of youth in the country’s development. “It is good to have young people together as they bring their energy, creativity and new ideas into the city.” Presently, young people and adolescents make up 60% of PNG’s total population.

The Voice Inc (TVI) is pleased to welcome Professor Matt Andrews from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for a week of public policy dialogues with local leaders. During the past three years, TVI has collaborated with Professor Andrews and his Building State Capability (BSC) team at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, offering their flagship public policy reform program, the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) course. In addition to being a first for Harvard University, Professor Andrews' visit to PNG is also a first for himself. As part of TVI's Local Leadership and Collective Action Program (LLCAP), which assists a network of local leaders working on public policy reform and implementation, Professor Andrews has a packed week of events planned. Tuesday's roundtable discussion on province to national policy implementation will be facilitated by Dr. Eric Kwa, Secretary of the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG), in collaboration with frontline SARV agencies from Kundiawa. After that, Mr. Joe Itaki, Director General of the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), will conduct a discussion on youth law and policy. The Wau-Waria district office and the Digicel PNG Foundation, which both focus on early literacy, will host Professor Andrews on Wednesday. In addition, Professor Andrews will introduce teams from DJAG, NYDA, and civil society in the third cohort of his renowned PDIA course at TVI. These teams, under the guidance of TVI and the Harvard BSC Team, will finish a demanding yet useful 12-week course. Ms Maliwai Sasingian, Executive Director of TVI, explained that they want their local leaders to access the best mentoring and ideas the world has to offer, hence why they decided to work with the Harvard Team. “Their approach, problem driven iterative adaptation, or PDIA, has proven successful in more than 100 countries around the world and is already showing results here in PNG.” Other significant events during Professor Andrews' visit include the Wednesday evening graduation of TVI's second cohort of Development Leaders, who successfully finished the PDIA course, and a public policy dialogue on the topic of Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) at the University of Papua New Guinea. TVI is honoured to arrange Professor Andrews' visit and to foster meaningful conversation with its local leaders, who are leading the way in tackling some of the most important problems facing the country. TVI is proud of the work it has been able to do through its PDIA course with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Papua New Guinea’s premiere dance sensations, Wan Squad have again placed PNG on top! Taking out the World Hip Hop International Dance Championship 2024. The World Hip Hop Dance Championship is a pinnacle event in the world of Hip Hop dance. Witnessing electrifying performances of top-tier dance crews around the world contesting for the title. With Wan Squad’s promising start in the preliminary round securing the first spot, the guys have done it again, taking first-place finish and bagging Gold in Phoenix, Arizona, USA! Massive congratulations from Mountain Dew and the management & staff of Pacific Industries Limited to Wan Squad for finishing their preliminary round and semifinal round as Number 1! This is a resounding effort, up against 28 other teams in the semi-final, from countries all around the world: from the Philippines to Brazil, USA to Greece and Italy. Wan Squad’s accomplishment not only showcases their immense talent but has also brought immense pride to Papua New Guinea as they stood alongside the world’s finest. Mountain Dew’s unwavering support as a proud sponsor of Wan Squad, has been a driving force behind Wan Squad’s seamless journey to the competition for the last three (3) years. Wan Squad acknowledges and appreciates Mountain Dew’s continuous and invaluable support in realizing their dreams and achieving such monumental feat on the international stage.

Jacks of PNG the biggest multi-format retailer in Papua New Guinea recently became the Gold partner for ASCENSION, PNG Fashion Week’s season seven, crem de la crem show. PNG Fashion Week is in its 7th year of producing high end fashion events that market and showcase PNG’s art and culture, through the spotlight of Fashion. Jayde Ovia, Executive Assistant to the Manager Director of PNG Fashion Week stated that this partnership was essential to the growth of the fashion and textile industry in PNG. “It gives our fashion designers and cultural creatives access to the brilliance of the Jacks of PNG phenomenon.” “It is so important to have retailers in the room when we host our fashion events, and this partnership surpasses that, to not just be in the room, but to actually partner at this level is such a massive boost to the impact of the work of PNG Fashion Week.” Philma Kelegai, Managing Director of PNG Fashion Week expressed pride at the benefits the partnership will bring to designers and retailers. “We are pleased to create an incredible event that gives the opportunity for designers and retailers to meet, where ideas can flourish, and dreams can be realized.” Jack’s of PNG is an extension of Jack’s of Fiji which is a multi-award-winning family business founded and established in 1969. It's first store was launched at Waigani Central, Port Moresby, on March 30, 2015, marking its entry into the fashion retail market. Over the years, they’ve set a new standard in fashion retail by offering high-quality, well-designed clothing and accessories at affordable prices in a modern, attractive setting. Since then, they’ve expanded to five additional locations: Vision City, Mount Hagen, Madang, and Lae. Jack’s of PNG Ascension is scheduled for September during the independence weekend and will feature 13 local designers and two international designers. Tickets will be on sale by the end of the week.

The Port Moresby Nature Park was recently a grant recipient of a Climate Change and Environmental Diplomacy Project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in Canberra, German Embassy Australia. In line with its key focus areas on Wildlife, Plants, Conservation and Research, the Park received a funding amount of €30,000 which will go towards implementing a small project designed to focus on ecological transformation, and drive awareness on climate and biodiversity in schools and communities in Port Moresby. The project titled "Love your Nature Park, protect our Biodiversity," will run for 7 months starting in the month of August 2024 and ending in March 2025. Key activities will include tree distribution, school and community outreach, an awareness campaign, rollout of a new education program, and an innovative Climate Science Fair for schools in October. The main goals of the project are to raise awareness and educate people about biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management, promote tourism through park tours and educational programs, lead afforestation and reforestation efforts in schools and communities, and establish a climate change database for Papua New Guinea's unique plant and animal species through the park’s ex-situ conservation efforts. It will emphasize the importance of working together to protect our natural world for future generations. The Port Moresby Nature Park invites all relevant stakeholders to join the campaign by supporting the project through tree planting initiatives, sponsoring prizes for the climate science fair and contributing to the awareness campaign throughout the duration of this project. As Papua New Guinea's premier attraction and charity-based organization, Port Moresby Nature Park is dedicated to preserving the country's unique flora and fauna through engaging experiences. “Our mission relies on the generous support of the public, the business community, government, and development agencies.” “By visiting the park and participating in our programs, you're not only contributing to our core functions of recreation, education, and conservation, but also promoting eco-tourism, education, and community involvement.” “Together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.”

Save the Children is excited to announce the debut of Oky Toky, a new weekly radio program aimed at empowering teenage females, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Oky Toky, which is aimed towards females between the ages of 10 and 19, will cover important topics such adolescent health, puberty, child marriage, mental health, personal safety, and referral routes. The show strives to establish a secure platform for girls to learn, share stories, and access important information through interactive segments, interviews, and lively debates. Elke Puritau, Pacific Regional Operations Director for Save the Children, explained the importance and effectiveness of radio in communicating such crucial information. "Radio is a powerful tool for reaching communities across Papua New Guinea, especially in remote areas and Oky Toky will leverage this platform to provide vital information and support to adolescent girls, helping them to reach their full potential in life.” Dr. Edward Waramin, Manager for Population and Family Health Services at NDoH Oky Toky is a crucial step towards addressing the unique health challenges faced by adolescent girls in PNG . “By providing a space for open conversation and essential health information, Oky Toky will empower our young women to take control of their lives." "We believe that investing in the health and wellbeing of our young people is an investment in the future of our nation." As a component of the larger Oky PNG project, which is supported by the Australian Government, Oky Toky aims to dispel the stigma associated with menstruation and address the dearth of correct information regarding puberty, menstruation, and other health-related topics. The Oky PNG Period-Tracking Mobile Application for teenage females with smartphones and Android phones, as well as the Oky Toky Hotline Interactive Voice Response service, are also part of the project, in addition to the radio show. Congratulating the producers on their new radio show, UNICEF Country Representative Angela Kearney said that Oky Toky promised to be a very effective way to reach young people in PNG. “This is a fantastic initiative that will surely help adolescent girls get the information they need to make informed decisions about their own lives, and ultimately their own futures.” The program will air every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. on Tribe FM, the National Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC) youth radio network, with weekend replays scheduled for all 22 provincial NBC radio stations.

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority engaged more than 500 school students at the IEA College of TAFE Education Fair, on Thursday and Friday, 1st and 2nd, August showcasing opportunities and sparking interest in the tourism industry. The Career Fair was held in Port Moresby which featured various activities created to encourage student interaction and provide insights into different industries. Students from multiple schools participated including Tokarara Secondary School, Sunrise Baptist School, Caritas Technical Secondary School, POMIS (170), Badihagwa Secondary, Dela Salle Catholic Secondary School, La Salle Technical School, Malolo International School, Zion Zeal, St. Josephs International, Butuka Academy, and Kila Secondary. Students got the chance to take part in a variety of games and drawings over the two-day event, such as Spin the Wheel, The Hoop Game, and Footy Toss. To be eligible to play these activities, students had to fill out a questionnaire encouraging them to visit different booths and ask questions to obtain information. Students enthusiastically interacted with the TPA crew, answering quiz questions about tourism in Papua New Guinea to obtain exclusive TPA items. Three laptops, one for each day, given by Theodist PNG Limited were among the major draw prizes. Held on the second day, the Mega Draw included more products from sponsoring companies such as Digicel, PNG Ports Corporation, and Hastings Deering, in addition to a laptop from Theodist. TPA’s HR Officer for Personnel, Adrin Manavutah, expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the event. "A heartfelt gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to participate in the event. We thoroughly enjoyed marketing our company to the students.” “While many students asked questions from the provided slips, we were particularly impressed by those who asked additional questions out of curiosity.” “Our team enjoyed the interactions and engagements with the students, making these two days some of the best we’ve had in the field.” IEA College of TAFE’s Online Training Coordinator, Michaeline Stevens, conveyed her appreciation to TPA for their participation. "The event, which drew 550 students over two days, was a resounding success, and we recognize that this achievement would not have been possible without your presence and participation.” “We deeply appreciate not only your contribution to this event but also the many years of continuous support that PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has graciously extended to our college.”

Coca-Cola has secured its spot as the Diamond Sponsor and Non-Alcoholic Beverrage Partner for the 30th Enga Show that is set this weekend from 9th to 11th August 2024, making it its second consecutive year. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sales and Commercials Director, Tim Solly Director expressed enthusiasm for the company’s involvement, mentioning that CCEP’s commitment is stronger than ever as it celebrates the vibrant culture of the Engan people. “The show is a wonderful platform to unite, celebrate, share the Engan people’s experiences, common heritage, beliefs, and practices, and CCEP is excited to be a part of the festival.” The township of Wabag is expected to draw sizable audiences for the three-day event, which will feature an extensive exhibition of the Enga province's cultural customs. Coca-Cola takes pride in its sponsorship of the Enga show and other cultural events. It also continues to support other noteworthy provincial shows including the Morobe Agriculture Show, the Goroka Show, and the National Mask & Warwagira Festival.

Thirty (30) unique masks from Kerema District will be preserved at an Elavo (Haus) after the 20th Toare Mask Festival was successfully staged on the 3rd of August. This year's 20th Toare festival was the first to be included into the National Cultural Commissions Annual Events Calendar and for the first time to be facilitated by the Toare village with the support in facilitation. With the theme for this year “Culture in Pride to promote Peace and Harmony” most preservation of Gulfs Cultural heritage is honoured with the carvings of these masks that represents and tells a different story in each clan, villages in the province. 32 Cultural groups were showcased Infront of tourists, TPA, Total Energies and other dignitaries from both National and the Provincial Government and 30 different masks were displayed. The Mask displayed will then be saved and kept in an Elavo (sacred house) like a mini museum for Tourists to visit in the village. Total Energies Director for Corporate Affairs Richard Kassman stated that he was honoured to have attended the festival. "Total Energies have come on board two times in a row for the company to assist and work towards promoting the culture of this province Gulf.” “Our Cultural heritage is very important to keep our stories, folklore and tales all in this mask festival and history is very important for our younger generations and to withhold the knowledge of this land.” Kassman said they will continue to support as Total Energies is a French company which is one of our key focuses, on promoting and liaising within the communities we work in. Meanwhile, National Cultural Commission Research Manager Alex Puki told the people of Kerema District that this year’s Toare Mask Festival has been placed into their annual national event calendar. “We are proud to support the festival and to showcase the different cultural diversity of Gulf through its designated mask festival.” "We will continue to support the festival because it has been enlisted as a new event into our calendars.” “We encourage the people of Gulf to use this platform as an engine to drive to support and continue to uphold our culture in the province.” Minister for Petroleum and Energies and Kerema Open Member Thomas Opa presented a K20,000 to the organizing committee to boost next year's 21st showcase. Member Opa said he was excited to represent the governor of the province to be with the people to celebrate the event. Opa, while officially launching the ceremony on behalf of Provincial Executive Council, said it is important for the districts to preserve culture and for the people to use the culture and artifacts to tap into Tourism and SMEs soon. The Toare Organizing Committee appreciated and acknowledged this year’s festival boost by major sponsors Gulf Provincial Government with K50 000, K15,000 from Total Energies, National Cultural Commission with K5000 while Kerema District Development Authority (KDDA) presented a K20,000 to run the event smoothly.

Transparency International PNG (TIPNG)’ s 2024 Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption (SASWAC), which took place in both Lae and Port Moresby, saw the participation of 108 teams from the corporate and government sector, 17 Civil Society Organisations, 69 schools, and 38 families. From the generosity of these participants, TIPNG has raised a K240,500.00 through the walk against corruption. These will enable TIPNG to continue its work in promoting transparency and accountability through its programs. “I want to express TIPNG’s sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption through in-kind support, volunteering and registering to participate.” “Your collective efforts have not only contributed significantly to our financial sustainability but have also sent a powerful message of unity and determination against corruption.” The theme of 2024 Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption was “Rise to the Occasion" and positioned all Papua New Guineans as agents of change to take on the responsibility of doing what is best for the country and with a sense of urgency. The Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption (SASWAC) started in 2007 and is TIPNG’s major fundraising event. The goal of the Walk Against Corruption is to raise funds to support the operations of TIPNG; raise greater awareness about corruption among institutions and corporate sector and provide a peaceful avenue for citizens to express their opposition to corruption.

Central Province Governor, Rufina Peter has joined other leaders in expressing her profound condemnation of the recent massacre, rape, and destruction in Tambari village, Angoram, East Sepik Province (ESP), which occurred between July 16 and 18, 2024. Governor Peter, a staunch advocate for women's rights and safety, has called for immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice. “As a woman and a leader, I am deeply saddened and outraged by the horrific events that transpired in Tambari village.” “The senseless violence, particularly against women and children, is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in ensuring the safety and dignity of all our citizens.” To capture the culprits and bring peace and security back to the neighborhood, the governor underlined the necessity of a coordinated response from law enforcement organizations and the community. “It is imperative that we work together to find these individuals and hold them accountable for their actions. “Justice must be served to bring solace to the victims and their families.” Governor Peter highlighted the broader implications of such violence on society, particularly from a woman's perspective. “These acts of brutality undermine the very fabric of our communities.” “As women, we understand the fear and trauma that such incidents inflict on families and society.” “It is heartbreaking to see our sisters, mothers, and children subjected to such inhumanity.” She also called for increased support and resources for the survivors of the violence, urging both governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide necessary aid and counseling services. “We must ensure that the survivors receive the care and support.” “In God we can; we will transform Central Province together; they need to rebuild their lives.” “This includes medical attention, psychological counseling, and legal assistance.” In her closing remarks, Governor Peter reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for justice and advocating for stronger measures to protect victims of violence especially women and children from all types of violence. “We must stand united against such atrocities and work tirelessly to create a safer and more just society for all; our resolve to protect and uplift our communities remains unwavering.” The slaughter in Tambari was condemned by the Central Provincial Governor, which emphasizes how quickly action and unity are required in the wake of disasters like these. Nationwide, there is a resounding cry for justice and support for the survivors, serving as a constant reminder of the value of empathy, responsibility, and teamwork in the fight against violence in all its manifestations.