MEDIA RELEASE
07 September 2007
For immediate release
PNG cultural industries to benefit from Australian visit
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Commission (NCC), Dr Jacob Simet, is leaving for Australia this week to investigate how to develop PNG’s cultural industries and promote PNG culture on the international stage.
Dr Simet will visit Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Thursday Island during a two-week trip, which is being funded by the Australian Government through its International Cultural Visits (ICV) program.
The visit, which runs from 9-21 September, will include meetings with a number of senior cultural policy-makers and tours of several leading cultural centres.
Dr Simet said: “I would like to thank the Australian Government for giving me this opportunity. I am looking forward to learning more about Australian arts policies, heritage management practices and the development of its cultural industries.”
“I hope that this trip will help the NCC to explore ways in which we can promote and market PNG's arts and crafts industries internationally.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, said the Australian Government was pleased to invite Dr Simet to take part in the ICV program.
Mr Moraitis said: “Australia and PNG have a lot to learn from one another in the cultural field.
“I hope Dr Simet will be able to learn more about Australia’s marvellous cultural and artistic industries, which contribute around $32 billion to our economy and help to make Australia such a vibrant and enjoyable place to visit or live.”
Media Inquiries: Raymond Palangat, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 454