Category: PNG Institute of Public Administration

A new Children’s Library at the Pacific Institute Leadership and Governance (PILAG) is now open to the public, giving local kids access to books, learning programs and modern technology.

To celebrate, more than 30 Port Moresby pre- and primary school children took part in open day activities, which included group reading, colouring, singing and exploration of books.

The open day marked the partnership between PILAG and Buk bilong Pikinini and was held ahead of International Literacy Day on Sunday 8 September.

The two organisations have joined forces to provide learning opportunities to local children, making full use of the facilities at the new Library, which was opened to the public in June and constructed through the PNG-Australia Partnership.

PILAG Chief Librarian Eric Nandoma said the collaboration with Buk bilong Pikinini is part of a broader vision to engage communities in the area.

“The revitalised PILAG remains committed to the development of public service leaders by providing vocational training to meet the nation’s needs,” he said.

“We know that these youngsters will one day grow-up and become the leaders of Papua New Guinea, so we need to do our best to give them opportunities to fulfil their potential.

“At PILAG we have a new, world-class library and it is our duty to provide an avenue for families and communities to be part of their children’s learning and development.”

Buk bilong Pikinini has established library learning centres with partners across Papua New Guinea – both in urban centres and regional areas.

Founder Anne-Sophie Hermann said working with PILAG is an excellent opportunity to provide children in the neighbourhood with learning opportunities and books to support their education.

“These centres help increase literacy rates, and foster a love of reading and learning in children,” she said.

“Access to books is an important aspect of a child’s overall development – it is the foundation for solid academic performance, and for socialising and managing all aspects of life.

“The language experiences that children have before they start school – like talking, singing and reading – form powerful brain connections, which are used for thinking and understanding.”

The PILAG Library allows children and adults to select from a large variety of books to suit their interests. Books can be borrowed free of charge, so anyone can access what they need for their education or enjoyment.

“We hope the children’s section will form a vital part of the PILAG Library where families and community members can come together to read and browse all the books on offer,” Ms Hermann continued.

“We are looking forward to supporting PILAG to run Buk bilong Pikinini’s early childhood literacy program for pre-school children.

“Through this program, five-year-old children will prepare for school and develop solid foundations in literacy, numeracy, cultural and health awareness, alongside learning to be disciplined and being respectful to others.”

In 2018, the public sector training centre formerly known as the Administrative College and the Institute of Public Administration re-emerged as the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance.

The Institute holds an important place in Papua New Guinea’s history books as the home of the Bully Beef Club – the group of some of the nation’s first leaders, including its most famous member Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (or PILAG) is focused on continuing that tradition – supporting emerging public service leaders to fulfil their potential and shape the future of the country.

PILAG chief executive Michael Barobe said he is optimistic that the revitalised institute will deliver on its promise and provide a boost to public sector performance.

“The transition to the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance was much more than a change of name – it was the start of a new era,” he said.

“Our vision is to forge a new generation of future leaders who have the skills and knowledge to do their jobs effectively, ethically and inclusively.

“We are taking contemporary approaches to developing public servants’ core skills and the tools they require to be values-based leaders.

The shift has seen strengthened internal capacity, new courses developed and the construction of high-quality, modern infrastructure, supported by the Australian Government through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

PILAG is one of the core institutions of the Precinct, and the new buildings – the library and Sir Sere Pitoi Rumana – are symbols of the enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The new library, which replaced the original building gifted by the local governments of Australia in 1966, was opened on 18 June by Hon. Davis Steven MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney General, and Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Australia’s Foreign Minister and Minister for Women.

Inside, the open plan layout provides a positive learning environment with functional teaching and tutorial spaces, including a large seminar room for more than 40 people.

The library has a special collections room with temperature controlled space for the preservation of invaluable historical books and archival materials.

It is also equipped with the latest library information technology and has been designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.

Last year, the Institute celebrated the opening of Sir Sere Pitoi Rumana – a new administrative wing named in honour of one of the first Papua New Guineans to take on a top public service position.

It includes the Bully Beef Wing which fittingly pays tribute to the Bully Beef Club and honours the connection with the founding leaders of Papua New Guinea.

Mr Barobe believes the buildings will be the catalyst for a new era at the Institute with increased engagement with more collaboration with government agencies to train public servants throughout the country.

“The world-class infrastructure has an impact on teaching, learning and research – it’s an incentive for people to be trained here,” he said.

“It has brought a new culture and new attitude – we are embracing the changes that are taking place and developing courses that are driven by the demands of the modern PNG public service.

“We are also reaching out to our subnational public servants in the provinces and districts, with the support of the Australian Government through the Precinct.”

Inclusion is at the heart of the design of the new buildings and Mr Barobe believes they create a positive environment for staff, students and the surrounding communities.

The library is now open to the general public who can become members.

“These are buildings for bringing people together and inclusive learning opportunities,” he continued.

“Previously, all the doors were closed and everyone was separated. Now, here, it’s all open.

“This place is an icon of our unity.”

Milne Bay public servants are ready to support local communities and businesses after graduating from the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance’s (PILAG) subnational training last week.

The intensive program was the first for 2019 and saw 30 public servants come together in Alotau to strengthen core public sector and leadership skills.

Michael Barobe, PILAG Chief Executive Officer, said the Institute is committed to subnational training and programs will be delivered at the provincial, district and local levels throughout the year.

“We are giving public servants across Papua New Guinea the skills, knowledge and confidence to support their communities,” Mr Barobe said.

“No two places are the same – local administrators are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by people in their districts.

“PILAG is empowering them to make a difference as ethical, capable leaders.”

The district training rollout is part of PILAG’s commitment to supporting the development of leaders who can drive improved service delivery and economic development.

The participants included representatives from Agaun, Alotau, Bolubolu, Bubuleta, Dobu, Esa’ala, Fifebay, Garuahi, Gogosiba, Goilanai, Gurney, Huhu, Losuia, Misima, Murua, Rabaraba, Samarai. Tagula and Weraura.

Course participant Siobi Eugene, a business development officer in Alotau District, said the training will result in better projects for local communities.

“The course gave us the skills, knowledge and tools to better manage projects and secure funding for programs,” he said. “These are vital to increase economic and employment opportunities.”

“We have the ability to manage the funds efficiently and effectively, and ensure we are ethical, responsible and transparent in our workplaces.

“During the course we designed new projects – I’m proposing economic development programs that look at rice and cocoa. I want to look at supporting clans to organise and unleash the potential of their land – agriculture is vital for food security and also important for economic development locally.”

The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance – formerly known as the AdCol and PNGIPA – is committed to the development of public service leaders and meeting the training needs of government agencies.

More than 400 public servants across eight provinces have now benefited from the PILAG district training rollout, which is supported by the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

Morobe’s public sector leaders believe that ethics and values are crucial for more effective delivery of vital local services, including health care and education.

More than 50 public servants participated in the recent Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct short courses on Ethical Leadership for Decision Making, including 29 who took part in Lae.

Siwan Patiuwatu, Senior Local Government Officer in the Morobe Provincial Administration, said ethical leadership is important for the public service because the office they hold is for the people of Papua New Guinea.

“We are their servants,” he said, “The positions we hold are not our birthrights.”

“We must be accountable, honest and transparent, and it must try to hold value in what we are doing for the people.”

Mr Patiuwatu said the course provided insights on how to ensure local leaders are ethical, capable and have the tools to navigate Papua New Guinea’s cultural complexity.

He said, “PNG has value systems; we have family values, Christian values, and now we are a member of the global community which has its own values – so we try to adopt those global values as well and see where in our family, community and society these global values will be best incorporated.”

“My hope is to encourage our leaders to practice good values, have good thoughts and good planning. I think I am doing the right thing to serve my people when I encourage leaders at Ward or LLG level to be accountable for their decisions,” he said.

More than 1,000 public servants have participated in Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct short courses, with over a third from subnational agencies.

All Precinct activities are underpinned by the PNG Government’s Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the core public service values – honesty, integrity, accountability, respect, wisdom and responsibility.

Kaumu Laga, Education Manager for Lae District, said the training demonstrated that he can be a role model for other public servants and contribute to the development of emerging leaders.

“I am inspired by the six values I learnt – honesty, integrity, accountability, responsibility, respect and wisdom,” he said, “I didn’t realise it before, but they are part of my life.”

“They are really relevant, useful and meaningful, and I can adopt these so people can see me as an example and I can lead others as well. Ethical leadership is the right way forward – we need to apply it in our lives to prosper and improve so that services can be delivered effectively,” he said.

The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that is supporting the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.

The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance was launched in Port Moresby on Tuesday 1 May by Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore and the Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis.

Minister Kapavore said the new Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (formerly called the Institute of Public Administration and the Administrative College) is committed to the development and training of high-performing public servants throughout Papua New Guinea.

“The launch of the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance represents much more than a change of name – it means the restructure and continued revitalisation of this historic institution,” he said.

He said the Institute is focused on enhancing public sector performance and will forge public servants who will provide the practical, intellectual and ethical leadership for Papua New Guinea.

“The institute is also extending training beyond Port Moresby, ensuring provincial, district and local level public servants are empowered to support their communities,” said the Minister.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the launch marks the start of a new era for the Institute, which is a core partner of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

“The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance is a vital part of the Precinct, a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that is supporting Papua New Guineans to fulfil their potential as ethical and capable leaders,” he said.

“It has an important place in the history of Papua New Guinea as the home of the Bully Beef Club – the group of students, including Sir Michael Somare, who went on to become some of the first leaders of the nation. The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance will continue that tradition of producing leaders who can shape the future of Papua New Guinea and the region.”

The Institute will continue its strong partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission, supported by the Precinct, which has assisted with training and course design. This includes the new Diploma of Leadership and Governance that will commence next week.

The Precinct has also supported the construction of the Sir Sere Pitoi Rumana; a new administration building; and a new resource centre to provide staff and students access to modern information technology services.

The Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) launched the District Training Roll-out in Ialibu-Pangia District, Southern Highlands.

The launch of the District Training Roll-out coincided with the commencement of the PNGIPA Project Management short course for district-level public servants.

More than 30 public servants from District Development Authorities attendeded the course, including participants from the districts of Ialibu-Pangia, Nawaeb (Morobe), Nuku (West Sepik), Sohe (Northern) and Talasea (West New Britain).

The course was supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable public-sector leaders.

Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore said the PNGIPA and Precinct programs reach out to public servants across Papua New Guinea to provide them with tools to be more efficient and effective in their work.

“To meet our objectives as a nation we must have a culture of excellence and inspirational leadership in the public sector,” Mr Kapavore said.

“We are focused, as a Government, on providing more opportunities for the personal and professional growth of public servants.”

“We need public-sector leaders who are ethical, capable and inclusive, and this is being achieved by PNGIPA, the Precinct and the partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.”

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said that providing regional public servants with opportunities to develop their technical capabilities and leadership skills was a priority of the PNG-Australia Partnership.

“Public servants take responsibility for the delivery of vital services in every corner of the country,” Mr Davis said.

“These training programs support provincial, district and local government authorities to be better equipped to respond to citizens, promote business, and develop local solutions to local challenges.”

“We want to better enable District leaders to drive service delivery at the local level, and involve citizens and communities in identifying their own economic opportunities and development needs.”

Secretary for Department of Personnel Management, John Kali also said public servants on the ground carry the reputation of the government.

“In my forty years with the public service my simple motto has been: ‘serve the people’”

“There’s no magic about it – we want to give public servants the tools to serve our people in the Districts and Local Level Governments.

“We are giving ethical, values-based leaders the opportunity to rise-up, step up and speak up.”

The course is being co-delivered by Papua New Guinean and Australian trainers, as part of PNGIPA’s Precinct partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission.

In 2017, more than 200 public servants from the provinces and districts took part in Precinct courses.

The Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) has continued its revitalisation with the construction of new facilities which will support the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.

A new Administration Wing and Learning Resource Centre, which are being constructed through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, will provide modern spaces for vocational learning, teaching and discussion.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the buildings will provide facilities befitting the nation’s premiere school of government.

“The new infrastructure will ensure that PNGIPA is able to continue its proud tradition of producing Papua New Guinean leaders,” Mr Davis said.

“The Precinct is a symbol of the modern partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia as economic and strategic allies.

“We are working together to support the development of leaders at all levels of government who can deliver essential services to the people.”

The new Administration Wing is on schedule to be launched in November and will house the ‘Bully Beef Room’, maintaining a connection to Papua New Guinea’s first generation of national leaders.

The room is named in honour of the Bully Beef Club – the group of Papua New Guinean leaders that made a significant contribution to the intellectual discussion that preceded PNG’s Independence.

Construction on the new Learning Resource Centre began in June following a demolition and ground-breaking ceremony.

It will replace the original library, which was constructed in 1963 and gifted to the Councils of Papua and New Guinea by the local governments of Australia in 1966.

The Learning Resource Centre will be ICT ready, ensuring PNGIPA has the capacity to deliver contemporary courses in a manner that is modern and accessible.

The use of external shade and aspect have been considered to ensure energy efficiency and the comfort of staff and students.

PNGIPA is also undergoing a process of institutional strengthening, led by its management team and supported by the Precinct.

This includes technical assistance in strategic planning and management, ICT and student management systems, and a review of curricula at the institution.

A Precinct partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission has also improved PNGIPA’s internal capacity to design and deliver courses, resulting in an increase in graduate numbers.

More than 130 public servants have now graduated from PNGIPA with Australia-accredited diplomas, delivered through the Precinct partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission.