WITH more initiatives, training and programs involving young children in schools, institution and other organizational programs, it is not sure if the government is to be blamed for not making available appropriate avenues for young people to lead and be ambassadors of change in the country.
The acting deputy Chief Censor, Ilikomau Ali made the remarks during the closing of a three -day Censorship Ambassador training workshop held in Port Moresby recently.
The training for the first time will now bridge the partnership between the Office of the Censorship (OOC) and Kilakila Secondary School as the model school of trained ambassadors representing the Office of the Censorship in its school awareness programs and other activities.
Ms Ali said the main objective of the program is to teach the students the main functions, mission and vision of the Office of the Censorship (OOC) and was certified as ambassadors of the office to carry out its awareness programs in their school as well as in the community.
“Peer to peer learning is very important hence this ambassador program, because when you become your own ambassadors , you are able to speak to your own peers to your own age level friends, your siblings and your friends in your community of issues that affect you ,” she said.
She added that funding and lack of government support has always been an issue and that is why research and programs like this will serve as an eye opener for the government and donor partners and agency to fund and support the program.
Ms Ali said the program is targeted for young children and that the office will continue to maintain the dialogue with schools in ensuring that the student’s role as censorship ambassadors does not stop.
School Principal, Herman Panai thanked OOC for the opportunity given to the students and for choosing Kilakila Secondary school as the model school to carry out the censorship ambassador program.
He urged the students to use their values of an ambassador and to live by the slogan of ‘Take Back PNG’ by serving their community with respect and decency.
The participating students also shared their word of gratitude to OCC for initiating the program.
“As for the satisfied ambassadors, when we go back to our home, communities and our school , we will work hand in hand to achieve the OOC Mission , Vision, goal for the betterment of our society and to act upon the OOC motto “Self Respect and Human Decency” and the School Motto “Serving our community,” a participating student Antonio Ningis said.