Role of Church in Human Capital Development
By Francis Hualupmomi
The Church plays an increasingly important role in development agenda. Although its central role is in the influence of evangelism across sovereign borders, social dimension also appears to be a complementary factor in the complete human transformation process.
The role of Church has transformed over time, space and distance. As globalization widens and deepens its scope across territorial borders, ideas, values and cultures impact the wider spectrum of international communities. The expansion and influence of Church is the manifestation of this wave of social modernization and internationalization. Today, the role of church in socio-economic development is distinctive and embraced widely by state and citizens.
The Church appears to be an important agent of change; precisely it fills in the missing gap left by the state. The provision of “Public Good” is the conventional central role of state to maintain order and harmony in the society. However, not all states have the sovereign capacity to maximize available resources to satisfy needs and wants of its citizens. It is at this juncture that the Church assumes the missing link to ensure continuum in social harmony.
The Church mainly provides public good in parallel with the state in a wider spectrum:
1. Affordable health services;
2. Welfare services; and
3. Affordable quality education.
The discourse on Church’s distinctive role is beyond my discussion. I condense my focus on human capital development with respect to affordable quality education.
The Church’s role in human capital development in PNG is highly recognizable. The first education began with the arrival of Christianism - as part of the wave of Europeanism in the Pacific region - in particular Roman Catholic followed by other Churches. Some of the finest minds of PNG elites, in the likes of Dr. Steven Edmund Winduo, late Professor Otto Nikitel, Sir Michael Somare, Sir Paulias Matane, etc, are the products of Roman Catholic Education.
I also pay tribute to one of the religious Orders in Roman Catholic, Missionaries of Charity Sisters. It first arrived in East Sepik in 1989 and established its foundation in Tangogo Pastoral Center, Wewak. The Order follows St. Teresa’s philosophy "Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor". This Order has contributed immensely to refugees, ex-prostitutes, the mentally ill, sick children, abandoned children, lepers, AIDS victims, the aged, etc. In Tangogo, it established the first “Kindergarten School” for the disadvantaged. I am proud to be one of the pioneers of this school to see it penetrating every corner of PNG. I will never forget Sister Antonia from India who has been very instrumental in setting my foundation.

St. Teresa and the Order of Missionaries of Charity Sisters
A holistic approach inclusive of non-state actors is a strategic ingredient in modernization agenda. In a world of interdependence complementary actions accentuates the spirit of ‘efficiency’ in the provision of public good.
The state must be commended in recognizing the role of Church in development. The inclusion of Church–State partnership in Vision 2050 is the way forward. The first pillar, Human Capital Development, is a critical strategy. With the current deteriorating state of affairs in our education and higher education system, complementary role is healthy. What is required is a continuous support provided by the government to Church to realize its strategic current thinking. The state alone cannot realize the Vision 2050.
There are ample run-down Church schools and colleges in PNG that require immediate attention. It is appealingly saddened to see some of these neglected colleges struggling to survive with scarce resources to educate our children.
Government’s strategy to rescue and upgrade deteriorating socio-economic infrastructures should not be urban-biased. Whilst focusing on state public institutions, restoring former glory of most of our run-down Church schools is potentially economical. Economizing human capital incur ‘higher returns’ in the long run. Restoring teachers, nursing and science and technological colleges is an urgent need.
Francis Hualupmomi studies a Master of Arts in International Relations & International Law at the Institute of International Studies, Jilin University, China. He can be reached on profdrakes@gmail.com