ABG Department of Community Government Launches ‘2024 Friends of Community Government Kibung’ Program in North Bougainville
ABG Department of Community Government in collaboration with the National Member for North Bougainville have initiated a program called the “2024 Friends of Community Government Kibung”.
The three-day program which was officially opened by Hon. Francisca Semoso in Malasang on Tuesday last week aims at providing that space and avenue for Community Government Chairpersons and executives in North Bougainville to meet with stakeholders of the government, NGOs, and development partners to learn and share information, and establish network and partnership to assist the work of the second-tier government at the community level.
Hon. Semoso acknowledged the Community Government leaders present and called each one to use the opportunity in the workshop to learn and share ideas to assist each other to be the change.
“This workshop is the first of its kind and gives you the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from each other to make a difference in your community governments within North Bougainville,” she said. “We were voted into office as leaders because we wanted to make a difference so let’s be the voice for our community governments and be that change.”
ABG Minister for Community Government Hon. Theonila Matbob, who was also present at the workshop spoke on behalf of the ABG stressing the importance for the Community Government leaders as the second-tier government to be the drive to achieve the desired outcome of the government.
“As the Minister responsible for Community Government and District Affairs, this is the first time for us to come together as a government to meet with our development partners to fix and clearly state that this is the narrative through the second-tier government for you to have that control and be able to work through the transition process,” she said.
She added that in the past since 2005 till now, the support received from development partners have not been clearly aligned with the government and this ‘kibung’ was an opportunity to work together to change that narrative.
“Our purpose in this kibung is alignment, how we can engage together, learn from each be that narrative,” Minister Matbob said.
The ‘Kibung’ gives that opportunity for the community government leaders to meet with stakeholders from the government, development partners and NGOs, learn from each other, share ideas and align programs and plans to achieve that desired outcome of the government.
It is anticipated that the program will become an annual event as an opportunity for community governments and stakeholders to learn, share ideas and work together towards Bougainville’s political journey.
National Member for North also alluded to meeting with her national counterparts in Central and South Bougainville to extend the program to the other two regions.
This program was facilitated by the ABG Department of Community Government and supported by Pangu Party, DFAT, UN and IFES.
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