Solve Papua Problems With Cultural Approach

Depok, West Java, May 17 (Antara) - The problems in Papua should have been solved with cultural approach besides using security approach, a professor has said. "Cultural approach is a long term solution to the problems in Papua," Professor Bambang Wibawarta of the University of Indonesia`s Faculty of Cultural Studies said here on Friday. He noted that security approach alone could not address the problems of people`s welfare, health, education, and economy in Papua if human resources development was ignored. "To develop the province of Papua with cultural approach is to place its people on the highest level in each change with emphasis on dialog. The culture is related to education, economy and welfare, law, and character building," he said. The professor asserted that the government should pay attention to the things the people of Papua need the most, namely education, health, economic empowerment, and cultural development. "Such issues must be managed well through a comprehensive cultural strategy as the best possible solution," Bambang said. He added that if the cultural diversity in Papua failed to be managed well, it would lead to disintegration; and therefore cultural approach should be used to solve the problems in the country`s easternmost province.