Let us maximize the role of the churchJakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy called on religious leaders to participate in social development and empowering people in Papua.
"You must be really willing to do this, including (taking part) in poverty (reduction) and stunting handling. The poverty and stunting rates are high. If the churches can help, the government would be so happy," Effendy noted in his statement received here on Friday.
According to the minister, religious leaders' participation in social development in Papua is important, considering that the Papuan communities are religious and look up to their religious leaders.
Minister Effendy held a meeting with 10 Christian and Catholic religious leaders in Mimika District, Central Papua, in order to identify strategies for equitable development in the district.
On that occasion, religious leaders expressed their views on development problems in Central Papua.
They said that Papua still faces inequality in terms of human resources between local residents and migrants, which is caused by several factors, such as a shortage of educators both in formal and informal educational activities.
The Papuan religious leaders also drew attention to poor basic infrastructure for education and a lack of government support for private educational activities.
In addition, they said that several people in Papua are still of the view that school is not important.
Hence, the religious leaders urged the government to conduct a more evenly distributed development in Central Papua as well as equalize access to education and health.
Meanwhile, Effendy remarked that the government had focused on developing Papua.
Hence, to this end, he urged Papuan religious leaders to contribute to community empowerment, provide an understanding of the importance of education, and help tackle stunting and extreme poverty in Papua.
"This way, the church's function is not only for religious affairs but also for the people's welfare. Let us maximize the role of the church," he stated.
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Translator: Anita D, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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