wfn.org | World Day of Prayer 2009: Papua New Guinea

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> World Day of Prayer 2009: Papua New Guinea

New York, February 23, 2009 ? The 2009 World Day of Prayer, a worldwide ecumenical commitment of women of many faith traditions each year on the first Friday in March, will focus on indigenous women and their children, especially in Papua New Guinea.

On March 6, women around the world will pray from sunrise to sunset as prayers follow the sun?s path around the world. Their conviction is that prayer and action are inseparable and both have immeasurable influence in the world.

The 2009 service and offering grants will call attention to such issues as the unexplained high death rate of babies and young children in Papua New Guinea, as well as violence against women.

In addition, prayers will call attention to the fact that oil companies and corporations are reaping benefits from Papua New Guinea?s natural resources while continuing to exploit the land and its people.

Also of deep concern is the fact that people living in the islands of Papua New Guinea are suffering the effects of global warming as they watch their shorelines rapidly disappear into the surf.

The independent state of Papua New Guinea consists of more than 600 islands lying just below the equator on the western side of the Pacific Ocean. The second largest country in the South Pacific, one of Papua New Guinea?s most spectacular features is its immense variety of landscape.

From the Highlands Region with its wide ridges of rugged mountains, to its Northern coastlines endowed with remarkable sandy beaches, coral reefs and rich maritime life, to the New Guinea Islands Region with a plethora of geothermal springs and active volcanoes, Papua New Guinea is the land of the unexpected, a land of great natural wealth and astonishing nature.

Papua New Guinea has been described as a

"mountain of gold floating on a sea of oil." Although described as poor by United Nations findings, the country is full of natural resources such as gold, silver and natural oil and gas which are all currently being mined and are in production.

Land is the most important resource and an overwhelming majority of people's lives revolve around land. While the majority of Papua New Guineans depend on semi-subsistence agriculture for their livelihood, there are increasing numbers of people who earn a living from operating small scale informal businesses in the urban areas.

Papua New Guinea has one of the most diverse indigenous populations in the world. More than 800 languages are spoken between several thousand separate communities.

This diversity is described well in a Papua New Guinean folk saying: ?For each village, a different culture.? Though much of Papua New Guinea's communities have experienced isolation due to its rugged terrain, Papua New Guinea continues to experience the spirit of unity in diversity.

The 2009 World Day of Prayer on March 6 connects women around the world with the women of Papua New to learn about their intricate cultures and social challenges, including a worsening violence against women and children, the breakdown of the family structure, a HIV/AIDS epidemic and chronic law and order and land tenure issues.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228
(office), 646-853-4212 (cell) , pjenks@ncccusa.org