PNG AT 51: INDEPENDENCE MUST ALSO BEGIN WITH THE INDIVIDUAL
Jerry WeminAs Papua New Guinea celebrates 51 years of Independence, we should reflect not
only on political independence, but also on what independence means at the level
of the individual. A nation may be politically independent, but its people must also
experience personal freedom, dignity, self-reliance and empowerment.
only on political independence, but also on what independence means at the level
of the individual. A nation may be politically independent, but its people must also
experience personal freedom, dignity, self-reliance and empowerment.
To me, true independence begins with the individual. Personal independence means
being physically and mentally fit, disciplined, ethical, hardworking, productive and
economically empowered. It means developing the knowledge, skills, character and
determination to take responsibility for our own lives and contribute meaningfully
to our families, communities and nation.
being physically and mentally fit, disciplined, ethical, hardworking, productive and
economically empowered. It means developing the knowledge, skills, character and
determination to take responsibility for our own lives and contribute meaningfully
to our families, communities and nation.
Political freedom alone cannot guarantee personal freedom. If we are unable to
provide for ourselves, continually dependent on others for our basic needs,
unwilling to work, financially vulnerable, unhealthy, undisciplined or lacking the
skills to participate productively in the economy, then our experience of
independence remains incomplete.
provide for ourselves, continually dependent on others for our basic needs,
unwilling to work, financially vulnerable, unhealthy, undisciplined or lacking the
skills to participate productively in the economy, then our experience of
independence remains incomplete.
Economic independence is an important foundation of personal liberty. A person
who is educated, skilled, healthy, productive and earning a sustainable income has
greater freedom to make choices, support a family, build assets, create
opportunities and contribute to society.
who is educated, skilled, healthy, productive and earning a sustainable income has
greater freedom to make choices, support a family, build assets, create
opportunities and contribute to society.
This is why independence must also mean empowerment. Every Papua New
Guinean should aspire to become: Healthy enough to live and work productively;
Educated and skilled enough to compete;
Guinean should aspire to become: Healthy enough to live and work productively;
Educated and skilled enough to compete;
Disciplined enough to manage oneself; Ethical enough to be trusted.; hardworking
enough to create value Productive enough to contribute; Financially empowered
enough to become increasingly self-reliant.
enough to create value Productive enough to contribute; Financially empowered
enough to become increasingly self-reliant.
We must move from a culture of dependency to a culture of personal responsibility,
productivity, enterprise and self-belief. Government has responsibilities. Institutions
have responsibilities. Leaders have responsibilities. But every citizen also carries
responsibility for his or her own development.
productivity, enterprise and self-belief. Government has responsibilities. Institutions
have responsibilities. Leaders have responsibilities. But every citizen also carries
responsibility for his or her own development.
The true strength of an independent nation is reflected in the strength and
independence of its people. Political independence gave us our nation. Personal
empowerment must now build our future. Let us become a nation of healthy,
disciplined, ethical, hardworking, productive and economically empowered people.
independence of its people. Political independence gave us our nation. Personal
empowerment must now build our future. Let us become a nation of healthy,
disciplined, ethical, hardworking, productive and economically empowered people.
Happy 51st Independence Anniversary, Papua New Guinea.
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