May 05, 2010

Seniorl Anzu (right) and Maria Linibi (centre), the joint winners of the 2010 DWU/UNESCO Communication and Development Award receiving the award from DWU academic vice president, Br Andrew Simpson (right) last Friday. Looking on is head of Communication Arts, Br Michael McManus.

A farmer and an agricultural communication officer have jointly won the annual Divine Word University/UNESCO Communication and Development Award during the World Media Freedom Day celebrations at the University in Madang last Friday, 28 April.

The winners are outspoken Morobe farmer, Maria Linibi from the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation and Seniorl Anzu, communication officer from the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) based near Lae, Morobe Province.

The two people were awarded for their complementary efforts to promoting development through sharing information on agriculture via the mass media.

“This year, we have decided to make this ward jointly to two people who have worked together in the field of communication and development,” said Br Michael McManus, the head of communication arts department at DWU.

“At first glance it may seem that Seniorl has won the communication part of this award and Maria the development part.

“But in fact both people have helped each other to win this award.

“We have recognized Seniorl and Maria because together they have been a great example of how communication and development go together hand in hand for real and ongoing development of PNG,” said Br McManus.

He said Mr Anzu wrote may articles about Mrs Linibi’s organization which promoted her great work among the agricultural community in PNG and overseas.

“Maria herself has become more involved in communication too with literacy programs and agricultural education for other women farmers,” Br McManus said.

“Maria’s work has also contributed greatly to NARI’s mission as a research organistion that develops agriculture amongst the PNG farming communities.

“I congratulate Seniorl and Maria as joint winners of this year’s UNESCO/DWU Communication and Development Award,” said Br McManus.

The award ceremony was part of World Media Freedom Day commemoration activities hosted by the Faculty of Arts at the Madang campus.