Papua New Guinea: Governor General launches 2010 Walk Against Corruption

His Excellency the Governor General of Papua New Guinea Sir Paulias Matane has today launched the 2010 Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption (WAC). This years Walk will be held in Port Moresby, Kokopo, and Kimbe on Sunday the 6th of June. For the launching His Excellency was joined by Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) Chairman Mr Peter Aitsi and other members of the TIPNG board.

Also joining the Governor General today at today’s launching were students and staff of Port Moresby Grammar School who will also be participating in the WAC in June.

Transparency International understands how important it is to get today's youth involved in its activities to encourage our youth to actively thinking about the issue of corruption and perhaps as a result better appreciate the roles they can play in combating the spread of corruption.

TIPNG chairman Peter Aitsi said: “Youth will take this country forward in the future and so their involvement in anti corruption activities at a early stage is necessary for them to understand and realize their potential in ensuring a society that is just and free of corruption.

That is why we are asking organisations to sponsor the participation of school teams to take part in the Walk Against Corruption. We want as many school students as possible joining the Governor General and Transparency International in showing their support for a PNG society where good governance and accountability prevails."

He said this year TIPNG is pleased to announce another center with the inclusion of Kimbe (WNB), along with Kokopo (ENB) who will stage walks simultaneously with the walk in Port Moresby.

Mr Aitsi said, “Our Communities coming out to walk in their respective provinces signals that ordinary citizens throughout the country are becoming more aware of the effects of corruption and are using opportunities like the WAC to express their opposition. Again in all three provinces youth of all walks of life are involved, which is a good sign.”

The 2010 WAC will be the fourth to be held in Port Moresby, the third in Kokopo and the first in Kimbe. Last year more than 3500 people joined the Governor General and Transparency International.

Mr Aitsi says: “We are encouraging interested organisations to contact the TIPNG Office in Port Moresby on telephone 3202-188 or 3202-182 to register their teams and where possible to sponsor a school team".

Funds raised this year as in the previous Walk Against Corruption will be used to help sustain the continuous operations of TIPNG as well as contribute towards the Siaguru Endowment Fund (SEF). The endowment fund is a brain child of the Founding Chair of TIPNG the Late Sir Anthony Siaguru and will honor his wish to establish a legacy that will secure TIPNG’s operational sustainability for twenty years.

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