A Non Cohesive Country Needs to be United

PNG UNITED

The name should not only evoke a positive emotional response but also serve a clear and practical purpose, reflecting its intended function or role effectively.

PNG is a very non cohesive country and we need to build more infrastructure to unite the peoples of 840 languages, tribes, clans and 118 electorates, 22 provinces and 4 regions.

Over the last 50 years, what has PNG done in terms of nation-building?

There is a deep-seated division among regions and peoples within the country, much of it rooted in unspoken hatred that is hidden from public discourse. We pretend that everything is fine, yet our educational system only teaches the basics—A, B, C, and 1, 2, 3. This has resulted in a wasted opportunity for the past 50 years, and if things continue the same way, the next 100 years could see the country disintegrate.

Unlike nations such as Singapore, Japan, Europe, Australia, and the United States, PNG has not fostered a strong sense of national identity or unity. The Bougainville independence movement, for example, didn't start with Francis Ona in 1989—it has roots in colonial times. The resentment he voiced was a spark on a fire that had been smoldering for decades. Bougainvilleans have long viewed themselves as distinct, often referring to themselves as "black" and viewing the rest of the country as "red skins." What has PNG done between 1975 and 1990 to bring Bougainvilleans into a shared national identity?

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PNG NRL NATION BUILDING

By Charlie Gilichibi, 12.12.24

Prime Minister James Marape (PMJM), Deputy Prime Minister Rosso, and their government deserve high praise for securing the deal to field a Papua New Guinea (PNG) team in the National Rugby League (NRL) by 2028.

This milestone represents a significant step not just in sports but in nation-building. Too often, our national discourse revolves around state-building—developing infrastructure, institutions, and administrative frameworks—while giving insufficient attention to nation-building. While these concepts are related, they are distinct. Nation-building focuses on cultivating a shared identity, common values, and a unified national culture. It deals with the social and cultural fabric that binds a country together.

The persistent challenges PNG faces, such as a lack of social cohesion, respect for civil order, and national unity, are consequences of decades of limited investment in nation-building. Historically, this responsibility has been left largely to churches, civil society, and local communities, while successive governments concentrated on infrastructure and institutional development.

The Marape-Rosso government’s successful negotiation of an NRL team for PNG, with substantial financial backing from Australia for the next decade, is a groundbreaking achievement.

This initiative comes with minimal cost to PNG taxpayers while promising immense social and cultural benefits.

Fielding a PNG NRL team is one of the most transformative developments in the nation’s 50-year history. It provides a unifying platform that will inspire pride, identity, and shared enthusiasm every weekend as people cheer for their national team. This collective experience fosters a sense of belonging and national pride that few other initiatives could match.

A recent 2024 survey by the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) found that 90% of respondents identified Christianity as a core symbol of national identity. Other constructs scored poorly, reflecting decades of insufficient investment in nation-building symbols, systems, and cultural infrastructure.

Whether one supports or criticizes this initiative, it is essential to acknowledge the foresight of the Marape-Rosso government and the bipartisan support from opposition Members of Parliament.

The focus should move beyond immediate financial costs to recognizing the profound non-monetary value this NRL team will create—fostering a more cohesive, orderly, and united nation.

Additionally, sincere gratitude goes to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australian taxpayers, the NRL headquarters, and NRL clubs for their understanding and generous support in funding this initiative for the first 10 years. PNG is deeply beholden to them for making this vision a reality.