The role of religion in development communication in Madang, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Having gained independence from Australia in 1975, Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to more than 7 million inhabitants with more than 800 different languages and diverse cultures. It is one of the richest island countries in the South Pacific in terms of mineral resources. Following a shift from village-based pagan worship to more organized worship in a country unified under Christianity, the locals in Madang, PNG, have experienced development taking place through the initiative of the Christian churches. Christian churches have provided basic services to the people of Madang in the form of health, education as well as social services. This study is an attempt to see how religion plays a part in development in a country where Christianity is seen as a major force behind social change. Government and business houses have done their part in enhancing people’s livelihood. However, it is claimed that Christianity has played a major role in enhancing people’s well-being. How people’s well-being is enhanced is vague, and might be understood through the concept of development communication. Development communication has been defined as “the art and science of human communication linked to a society’s planned transformation from a state of poverty to one of dynamic socio-economic growth that makes for greater equality and the larger unfolding of individual potentials.” Research participants were interviewed and their narratives were analyzed using thematic analysis.