Advocacy

The Network of Callan Services for Persons with Disabilities continues to maintain its relationship with the government of Papua New Guinea through the National Department ofEducation (NDOE), Department for Community Development, Youth and Religion and hopes to achieve a milestone development with the National Department of Health (NDOH) through its programs in Community Based Rehabilitation Services (CBR). 

 

Callan Services National Unit (CSNU) works with external bodies like the Papua New Guinea Assembly for Disabled Persons (PNGADP) and the National Board for Disabled Persons (NBDP) to represent the voices of persons with disabilities agencies. These bodies PNGADP and NBDP also advocates on the behalf of persons with disabilities with the government of PNG. For instance, in 2014 NBDP recieved funding for assistive devices from the Australian Government Aid program Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen (SPSN) and involved CSNU to assist in delivery of the assistive devices to the 19 Special Education Resource Centres (SERC) in the Network of Callan Services. Such collobration enhances the relationship of the Network of Callan services with NGOs and government bodies to deliver services to persons with disabilities.

 

At the CSNU level also advocacy is a key part of its strategic plan 2015 - 2020. For instance in 2015 the Network celebrated its 25 years silver jubilee of services to persons with disabilities in PNG. The celebration marked the era of 25 years that the Christian Brothers of PNG and the Oceania Province served PNG through the work of Callan services. A key highlight of the silver jubilee was the launching of the Network Srategic Plan 2015 - 2020 by the Minister of Education, Hon. Nick Kuman.