Benedict David and Professor Frank Griffin open new library in the School of Business.
A state of the art library was opened at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) recently – providing a boost to academic research and a modern learning environment for future leaders.
The new library is housed in UPNG’s new School of Business & Public Policy, which was constructed with support from the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The library was ceremonially opened by UPNG Vice-Chancellor Professor Frank Griffin and Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Benedict David.
Mr David said the new library and School of Business will support UPNG to continue its proud tradition of producing graduates who are technically skilled and capable leaders.
“UPNG has been at the heart of shaping Papua New Guinean leaders for more than 50 years and we are proud to support this to continue through the PNG-Australia Partnership,” he said.
The library is filled with books and digital resources.
“The quality of these facilities reflects the ambitions of the University and its place as one of the core institutions of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
“It is a hub for future generations of economic and public policy experts, and a symbol of the strong partnership between our two countries.”
The new library is a branch of the existing Sir Michael Somare Library and provides modern spaces for research, discussion and collaboration.
It is equipped with more than 3,000 books and also provides students and staff access to a range of online databases.
Molly Woko, a technician at the new library, said she shares her expertise with staff and students to fully utilise the new facilities, which can enhance their research and learning.
Librarian Molly Woko believes the library will modernise learning and research for staff and students.
“It is important for the SBPP to have a library due to the changes in academic environment and the increasing number of students,” she said.
She said, “This new library will enhance learning, teaching and research and most importantly information can be easily accessed when needed and I am privileged to be part of that learning process for students and staff through the my line of work.”
Members of the Precinct’s governing bodies were also in attendance, including Archbishop Douglas Young, Fr Jan Czuba, Jean Kekedo, Serena Sumanop and Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai.
Melinda Yalingu, Rural Development Officer in a group work and discussion with fellow course participants during a Financial Management session.
Papua New Guinea’s public servants have boosted their leadership skills with the nationwide rollout of Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance’s district training program.
More than 300 public servants have been trained in key public sector skills in 2018 – including project management and financial management – better enabling them to deliver services to their communities.
Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore said the revitalised Institute is committed to enhancing public sector performance throughout Papua New Guinea.
“The Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance is focused on training ethics and values-based leaders who can drive improved service delivery and economic development,” Mr Kapavore said.
“Its courses meet the needs of the central agencies, and public servants working at the provincial, district and local-levels.”
The district rollout is supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that supports the development of public sector leaders.
“The Precinct is building the capacity of current and emerging public sector leaders – working at an academic level, through vocational training and by encouraging discussion about important topics,” Mr Kapavore said.
“It is one of the mechanisms we are using to develop the capacity of the public service – to make it more efficient, effective and ethical.”
The training rollout also brought public servants from different districts and provinces together to build networks, share experiences and collaborate on solutions to regional development challenges.
District and local-level public servants have now benefited from courses run in East New Britain, East Sepik, Morobe, Southern Highlands, West Sepik and Western Highlands.
One of the course participants was Melinda Yalingu, a Rural Development Officer in Morobe Province, who said she is committed to using the training to build up local agriculture projects in Nawaeb.
“Our role as public servants is to improve the sustainability and livelihoods of the people in the districts,” Ms Yalingu said.
“I want to see projects through from start to finish to the benefit of our local farmers and the community as a whole. We can train our farmers in financial management, sustainability, gender equity and social inclusion, and sharing responsibility.”
Brian Mogu, Special Projects Officer, Huon-Gulf District.
Brian Mogu, Special Projects Officer with the Huon Gulf District, is in his 44th year of public service and said project management and financial management are important, practical courses.
“It has given me confidence and broadened my ability to manage, operate and maintain the subjects that were taught,” he said.
“I believe field officers in all divisions in agriculture, fisheries, clerks, and even for the Local Level Government and District administrators are now better prepared to carry out their duties in the field,” he said.
“The focus and mindset of the officers are now geared towards the local population. They have to be there to make sure that those people are served and development and services can flow in.”
Brian graduated with a Diploma in Public Administration and Middle Management from the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (then-Administrative College) in 1977 and said the recent courses have refreshed his skills.
“With the reforms came new systems and these courses have broadened my knowledge,” he said.
“It has given me the confidence to do my job efficiently and proficiently under set laws and acts of the public service.”
Photo Left-to-right: Wasimaelo, Natalie and Sarah-Kristine Romney.
Things were not always easy for Natalie Romney when she first entered the construction industry, a sector that has been largely male dominated, but the SBS Electrical Fire Services Manager is unfazed by stereotypes and lets her ability do the talking.
The 50-year old from Boianai and Rabe in Milne Bay Province grew up with her brother and sister, and, looking back, Natalie realises how hard her parents worked to provide for them.
“I really appreciate what they did for us and I can say that I had a happy and stable childhood,” Natalie recalled.
Natalie started school in Lae, then moved to Fiji with her family before returning to PNG to complete her secondary education in Port Moresby.
The single mother of two girls enjoys watching movies, reading and singing, but when she’s at work her mind is always on the job.
Natalie has always been determined to provide opportunities for her girls, who are now grown-up with careers of their own.
“My focus has always been to do my job well so I can provide for my children,” Natalie said, “that my chosen career happens to be in a male dominated industry is incidental and does not really have any bearing on how I work.”
“It’s a matter of focusing and not being intimidated. It comes down to confidence – knowing what you have to do and ensuring clarity in your instructions to those that report to you but at the same time being respectful in your approach to those you lead – which in turn will gain you their respect.”
Natalie sparked an interest in electricity as a high school student – from that moment she knew she wanted to be an engineer.
In 1992, her dream came true when she graduated from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UniTech) with a Bachelor of Engineering and worked for five years with a multi-discipline engineering consultancy firm as a design engineer.
Natalie can now look back on more than 25 amazing years in the construction industry – a career that has included involvement in the creation of some of the country’s most high-profile buildings.
In the late 90s she worked on the landmark Kina Haus (formerly Deloitte Tower), one of the original office towers in downtown Port Moresby. Natalie’s job was to liaise between project managers and senior management.
“Construction is really interesting,” Natalie said, “it’s fun to work as a team and see this building appear that you’ve only seen on drawings.”
“You get to walk into the finished product that you were involved in and worked with the people who put it together. That’s interesting – to see something that’s on paper be built around you.
“One important thing I’ve learnt is to be humble and respectful and always be willing to learn from others because 99 per cent of the time, there’s someone in your team who has more skill, knowledge, expertise and or wisdom than you.”
Natalie is a role model to her two daughters, who have followed her footsteps in to the construction sector.
Her eldest also graduated from UniTech as an electrical engineer and her younger daughter is a drafter, helping to compile documents for complex projects.
Two years ago, an opportunity arose that was beyond Natalie’s wildest dreams – the chance to work alongside her daughters on a project of major significance to Papua New Guinea.
The trio are among more than 300 Papua New Guineans and Australians who worked side-by-side on the University of Papua New Guinea’s new School of Business and Public Policy.
Natalie has now led the SBS Fire Services Division for more than a decade and her eldest daughter, Wasimaelo, helped with the testing process for the fire alarm system as the new School of Business neared completion. She knows her kids have the ability to excel in their roles and is looking forward to seeing more and more Papua New Guineans involved in the management of major projects.
The new School of Business and Public Policy is a symbol of the strong partnership between PNG and Australia.
“For complex projects like this, documentation is really important. Production of the operations and maintenance manuals are a very big part of the project, so both my daughters are involved in that.
“My eldest daughter will liaise with the project managers and others on-site to make sure that the documentation is accurate and the testing is complete and that we’re complying with our requirements.
“It’s quite exciting because they are part of my team too – we’re together 24 hours each day.”
Taiko Lalo, Infrastructure Project Manager from the Australian Government funded Technical Enabling Unit, which implements construction projects, worked alongside Natalie and drew on her experience.
“Natalie has been in the industry a bit longer than myself,” Taiko said, “she has a wealth of experience and being able to work with her has been great.”
“It’s empowering for me because I’d like to see females step up and be part of the bigger picture.”
The School of Business and Public Policy building was constructed with support from the Australian Government, through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct. It is international-standard infrastructure for learning, equipped with modern facilities for teaching, research and collaboration.
Natalie believes the School of Business, the new Lecture Theatre and Student Services Building – all completed this year – complement UPNG’s aim of producing top quality graduates who can meet the demands of the modern day. She said the state of art facilities match what UPNG is trying to achieve.
“I think it’s exciting for the staff and students to see they have a new Lecture Theatre on the other side and now they are going to have this state of the art building,” she continued.
The Precinct, a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia, supports generations of leaders – both women and men – who can develop ethical, practical and intellectual leadership for the nation, and promotes the principles of gender equity and social inclusion.
Natalie believes the new facilities are befitting UPNG’s tradition of producing graduates who play a great role in shaping Papua New Guinea’s future.
“Thousands of students are going to benefit from these, and maybe their children,” she said.
“This is a legacy building.”
In the years to come, Natalie and her daughters will look upon the new School of Business and Public Policy building with pride, knowing they played an important role in its construction.
They might just leave a legacy of their own by breaking down construction industry barriers through their own ability, passion and commitment.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo takes a question from the audience.
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Discussion series has given Papua New Guineans unprecedented access to visiting APEC and international trade experts.
A series of public events open to the public will explore APEC themes and policy issues relevant to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
The first event last month featured addresses by Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato; Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton; and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo. Discussions were focused on trade and the rules-based global trading system.
World Trade Organization Director Roberto Azevêdo highlighted Papua New Guinea’s importance to the international trade system, and the importance of international trade in addressing issues faced in PNG, including recovery from natural disasters.
Mr Azevedo said that rigorous studies suggest that the frequency and severity of natural disasters are likely to increase, and WTO members have started a dialogue on how trade policies and practices can help in dealing with natural disasters.
“The right policy can boost recovery by helping to improve supply-side capacity and restoring trade after a disaster. We have to get this right and contribute in any way we can,” he said.
Minister Pato said that the WTO continues to be a major contributor to increased levels of global prosperity. He further stated that the message Papua New Guinea wants to send as APEC host is that the world will be all the better for a steady, free, fair, inclusive, rules-based trading system.
The event also included a panel discussion with Dr Allan Bollard, Executive Director for the APEC Secretariat based in Singapore.
Dr Allan Bollard, reiterated APEC’s focus on ensuring there are good rules for international trade that will translate to improvements in living standards.
“Over the time that Papua New Guinea has been in APEC, since 1993, income per capita has doubled – you are roughly twice as well off as your parents. We want more of it and that’s been the story right around the APEC region – leading the world in terms of trade given growth,” he said.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton also spoke at the first APEC discussion series, and said Australia strongly supports Papua New Guinea’s growing economic integration and leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Both of our economies rely on a strong and open trading environment, and Australia continues to stand for a transparent world trade and investment system based on rules.”
“Australia is very committed to supporting Papua New Guinea as it hosts APEC this year, and we are also committed to supporting the development of PNG’s future public service leaders through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.”
The APEC Discussion Series at the Precinct is being held at the University of Papua New Guinea throughout 2018 hosted by the PNG APEC Secretariat and the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, supported by the PNG – Australia Partnership.
Acting UPNG Vice-Chancellor Professor Mange Matui, Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd and Acting Department of Personnel Management Secretary Taies Sansan.
Department of Personnel Management Acting Secretary Taies Sansan and Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd came together for a discussion on ethical leadership and the decentralisation of government functions to regional areas.
The discussion, Leading for the Future – Ethics, Workplace Culture and Leadership in a Decentralised Public Sector, was the first event in the 2018 University of Papua New Guinea Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series, and was supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
Ms Sansan said decentralisation means public servants in the provinces and districts have a greater role to play in the delivery of services.
“A majority of Papua New Guineans live in regional areas and public servants on the ground are best placed to understand the needs of the community they serve,” she said.
“At the Department of Personnel Management we are strengthening public service leadership at all levels – from central agencies in Port Moresby to the provincial, district and local levels.”
“The Precinct and the newly relaunched Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance are some of the mechanisms we are using to develop the capacity of the public service to make it more efficient, effective and ethical.”
The Department of Personnel Management and the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance maintain strong institutional links with the Australian Public Sector Commission through the Precinct.
Mr Lloyd said good governance and an effective public service is critically important for the stability and success of every country.
“Like the PNG public service, the Australian Public Service delivers many community services and buys goods worth billions of dollars,” he said.
“As public servants, all of us must carry out our duties with honesty, integrity, accountability, respect and responsibility.”
“Our leaders must lead by example and demonstrate the highest standards for others to emulate.”
The Department of Personnel Management, Australian Public Service Commission and Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance, through the Precinct, have run courses in East New Britain, East Sepik, Madang and Southern Highlands, reaching nearly 200 public servants.
The Precinct also supports the partnership between the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.
Ambassador Patrick Suckling speaks to the audience about the Paris Agreement and the role of Papua New Guinea as an international and regional leader on climate change.
Australian Ambassador for the Environment Patrick Suckling noted that Papua New Guinea had played an important leadership role on climate change issues, as international negotiations continue on the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Mr Suckling gave the keynote address at The Paris Agreement and Climate Change Leadership in the Pacific, a discussion event hosted by the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct on 30 January.
An audience of public sector, academia, non-government organisations and civil society representatives took the opportunity to participate in a lively discussion on the local, regional and international responses to climate challenges.
Mr Suckling said that the effects of climate change are disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea had a strong voice and a vital role to play on global climate change policy.
“With the Paris Agreement, over 190 countries recognised there is a problem and agreed to act, to act urgently and to act together,” he said.
“Leaders in the Pacific speak with great moral authority and this resonates with the international community.
I’ve heard there are communities in Papua New Guinea having to relocate because of rising seas and others that are challenged by severe weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding.”
“Regional leaders, including successive Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, have advocated for strong action and practical solutions to the challenges of climate change.”
“Australia and Papua New Guinea have worked together over many years to address the threats of climate change, for example climate proofing infrastructure like roads and building community resilience.”
An engaged audience from the public and private sectors, academia, non-governmental organisations, and civil society put questions to Ambassador Suckling.
Papua New Guinea and Australia are signatories to the Paris Agreement, an accord to take action to reduce emissions as a means for preventing the global temperature from rising more than two degrees.
As Ambassador for the Environment, Mr Suckling represents Australia on global environmental issues, including negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Mr Suckling said that there was wide consensus around the world regarding the Paris Agreement and that everyone must play a role, including representatives from the private sector.
“Corporate business is getting on board with this agenda more than ever before,” he said.
“They are increasingly aware of the risk of climate – how to adapt, change and be robust – and they are also focused on the opportunities of a changing global economy based on lower emissions and climate resilience.
A lot of countries and a lot of companies are saying that this is big business. Many countries are demonstrating that you can reduce emissions and grow the economy. On some estimates meeting climate change commitments by just the key emerging economies is a $23 trillion opportunity.”
The Paris Agreement and Climate Change Leadership in the Pacific was hosted by UPNG and the Precinct in order to facilitate discussion on public-policy challenges and opportunities, and on how ethical leaders can support positive change for communities in Papua New Guinea.
UPNG is a core institution of the Precinct, a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to strengthen the public sector and promote leaders who can develop and implement effective public policy.
Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore launches the first Precinct event in Kokopo.
The Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) is increasing its regional training programs, with the aim to develop provincial and district leaders.
PNGIPA, a core partner of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, launched its Project Management course in Kokopo, East New Britain Province last week.
The Project Management course was attended by more than 20 participants and marked a significant landmark for PNGIPA.
The Precinct is supporting PNGIPA’s training delivery which includes increased opportunities for vocational education in subnational areas and improvements to regional training centres.
The course was launched by Public Service Minister Elias Kapavore, Department of Personnel Management Secretary Mr John Kali CMG OBE, Provincial Administrator Mr Wilson Matava and Ms Penny Dennis, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission.
Project Management students and facilitators work through a course exercise.
Minister Kapavore told the participants the Precinct partnership was supporting many positive changes at PNGIPA.
“We want to take the institution to the next level as the premier School of Government in the Pacific Region and we are committed to doing this with the support from our partners,” he said.
“We are focused on improving the quality of courses delivered in the country and we will be extending these courses to the New Guinea Islands region, Madang and parts of the Highlands.
“I want to remind you all that this opportunity comes with responsibility. Do what is best for the community and the country.”
Ms Dennis said the Australian Government was pleased to support the Government of Papua New Guinea’s focus on transparent and accountable subnational leadership.
Left to right: Elias Kapavore, Minister for Public Service; Penny Dennis, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission; Angori Wewerang, PNGIPA Director; John Kali, DPM Secretary.
“The Precinct and our institutional partners – like PNGIPA – look forward to continuing to support emerging provincial and district leaders.”
The Precinct supports the decentralisation process through the development of public sector leaders.
It is creating a generation of leaders who can improve service delivery, economic opportunities and community development throughout Papua New Guinea.
The Precinct is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders throughout Papua New Guinea.
Professional women leaders from Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their Papua New Guinean counterparts have taken the first step towards establishing a formal dialogue on leadership, gender and culture at a landmark meeting timed to coincide with Australia’s annual celebration of its Indigenous people.
A panel discussion hosted by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct on Monday brought eminent women from both nations together for NAIDOC Week, which is held each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians.
Stephanie Harvey, CEO of Indigenous Community Volunteers in Australia, said she was excited to share ideas and experiences with women leaders in Papua New Guinea.
“PNG is our closest neighbour and I believe there is a lot we can learn from each other,” Ms Harvey said.
“It would be wonderful if we could build strong relationships between Indigenous women leaders from Papua New Guinea and Australia to strengthen leadership, governance and economic development.”
“In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are in leadership roles and are walking side by side with male leaders.”
The four visitors from Australia were welcomed to PNGIPA by a singsing group
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia is particularly focused on supporting current and emerging women in leadership positions.
“We want to ensure institutional barriers to women’s participation in the economy are addressed,” Mr Davis said.
“These events spark conversations that need to be had around important topics, such as women in leadership, and create networks that can support positive change.”
“One of the great strengths of the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership is the person-to-person links that span business, education and sport.”
The panel discussion also included Divine Word University President Dr Cecilia Nembou, Exxon Mobil’s Susil Nelson-Kongoi and Vonda Malone, Mayor of Torres Shire Council in Queensland.
The event was hosted by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia that supports the development of ethical, capable leaders, and facilitates dialogue about development challenges.
WECREATE Challenge participant Rita Jaima Paru (left) (Owner/Director – Dial-a-Lunch Services) at the roundtable discussion, to the rights is Mayor of the Torres Strait Shire Council, Vonda Malone.
The four invited guests had earlier joined staff at the Australian High Commission in a ceremony to raise the Australian flag with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Yesterday, the High Commission also hosted a roundtable discussion with the Indigenous Australian women and invited guests. The discussion is to explore business, innovation and entrepreneurship themes.
A key outcome of this session will be to develop initiatives that could be taken forward into the APEC year.
NAIDOC first emerged in the 1920s when Aboriginal groups sought to increase awareness on the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrates the important, unique role Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land, history, spirituality and rites.
A ground breaking ceremony for the Learning Resource Centre was held with Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, DPM Secretary John Kali and Librarian Malala Moi, who has worked at PNGIPA for 42 years.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct continues to support the revitalisation of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) with the construction of a new Learning Resource Centre.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 21 June to celebrate the centre, which will provide modern spaces to Papua New Guinea for teaching, research and discussion.
The new resource centre will also complement the ongoing construction of a new administration office called the new Bully Beef Building at PNGIPA, which started last year.
The institution’s capacity to deliver courses is being strengthened through the Precinct, supported by a partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission.
More than 300 Papua New Guineans have graduated from PNGIPA in 2017, including 42 public servants who were awarded Australian-accredited diplomas through the Precinct partnership.
DPM Secretary Kali symbolically demolished a model of the old PNGIPA Library that is to be replaced.
The institution also hosts the Precinct’s Future Leaders Program, which was launched in March 2017 and provides executive leadership training for emerging public sector leaders.
The Future Leaders Program is a collaboration between PNGIPA, the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Queensland, with guidance from the Department of Personnel Management.
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said the Precinct is an example of the modern partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that is based on shared economic and strategic objectives.
“Our two governments are supporting the development of leaders at all levels of government that can deliver essential services to the people,” Mr Davis said.
Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and DPM Secretary John Kali were welcomed to PNGIPA by a singsing group from Tari, Hela Province.
“This Precinct partnership is focused on the development of Papua New Guinea’s next generation of public sector leaders; equipping them with the skills, values, networks, and experience to take forward the development of Papua New Guinea.”
The new Learning Resource Centre will replace the deteriorating library, which was constructed in 1963 and gifted to the Councils of Papua and New Guinea by the local Government of Australia in 1966.
PNGIPA has played an important role in the history of leadership development in Papua New Guinea and the new Learning Resource Centre will support this tradition to be continued.
Cathleen Dringo, a Community Development Officer at Kimbe Urban LLG, presented at the workshop.
West New Britain has prioritised merit based employment and equal access to opportunities as part of the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy rollout in the province.
The GESI Policy has been piloted at provincial level in West New Britain and it has now been taken to district level in Talasea.
The Department of Personal Management recently hosted a GESI Policy workshop in Talasea to demonstrate how the GESI Policy can meet provincial and district priorities and how it can be mainstreamed into public sector work at district level.
Provincial Administrator William Hosea said he was grateful that West New Britain was entrusted to pilot the rollout.
“The province has captured GESI activities in its corporate plan and we are looking forward to the implementation of the policy,” Mr Hosea said.
“We talked about effective service delivery. The way we think and the way we do things must be a coordinated effort, working together as a team and valuing the contributions of women.
“It’s very important for Talasea District to carry out GESI activities in a transparent way.”
Public servants from Talasea District and LLGs worked together at the GESI Policy Workshop.
Talasea District Administrator Robert Dau thanked the Department of Personnel Management and the Australian Government for their support of the policy rollout in the district.
“Talasea is a very big district in the province and gender equity is very important,” Mr Dau said.
“The onus is on us, the community development officers and our public servants to start the implementation of the GESI Policy.”
“I am very happy that officers from the District are attending this workshop because the policy requires everyone to work together,” Mr Dau added.
The GESI Policy has been given prominence in West New Britain since it was first introduced 18 months ago and has been integrated it as part of business processes and service delivery.
The workshop was facilitated by the Department of Personnel Management and the West New Britain Provincial Administration, and supported by the Australian Government.
Ms Rhoda Karl tested out some of her new skills learned at the training program.
A group of Papua New Guinea’s public servants have boosted their leadership skills, ensuring they have the tools to communicate effectively with peers and the public.
More than 40 public servants from throughout Papua New Guinea participated in the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Public Speaking and Speech Writing course, held in Port Moresby.
The intensive course was tailored to the Papua New Guinean public sector, and focused on creating the right tone to motivate and inspire others.
Assistant Secretary Rhoda Karl, from the Department of Treasury, said her role involved the preparation of departmental and ministerial speeches.
“I have gained confidence in preparing speeches, and for public speaking and presenting myself,” Ms Karl said.
Mr Xavier Bate Winnia, from the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, wrote a speech for presentation on the final day.
“This session has given me a framework and polished some of the skills that I use every day.”
Xavier Bate Winnia, Senior Research Officer at the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, said he now has a greater understanding of how to make an impact with his ideas.
“In my line of work, as a researcher, we are used to providing a lot of information – but it can be too much to take in,” Mr Winnia said.
“Through this training I have learned how to carefully craft my message in a way that is specific to the audience.”
The Public Speaking and Speech Writing course was led by Toby Ralph, one of Australia’s eminent communications experts and speech writers.
He said public speaking and speech writing are important skills that can be trained and improved.
“To communicate ideas crisply and carry people with you matters when you’re at the pointy end of the public service,” Mr Ralph said.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to support ethical and capable public sector leadership.
Precinct courses respond to demand for skills and knowledge that are pertinent to existing and emerging public sector leaders.
Secretary John Kali welcomed his counterparts from across the Pacific.
Papua New Guinea has put ethical leadership and governance at the top of the agenda as it hosts 2017 Pacific Public Service Commissioners’ Conference in Port Moresby this week.
Department of Personnel Management Secretary, John Kali, said PNG was working through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct to strengthen public service leadership at all levels.
The Precinct is founded on two key policies – the Government’s Ethics and Values-Based Leadership and Management Capability Framework; and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion policy.
Mr Kali said he was looking forward to sharing PNG’s experience in reshaping its public sector with his Pacific counterparts.
“Our Government’s policies promote the values that leaders in the workforce must have,” Mr Kali said.
“These values allow them to be creative and productive in the workplace, but more importantly to be ethical, committed and passionate about their work.
“The Precinct is the mechanism to develop the capacity of the public service – to make it more efficient, effective and ethical.”
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to strengthen the leadership capabilities of the nation’s public servants.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis, said it was fitting for the Precinct to support the 2017 Pacific Public Service Commissioners’ Conference.
“Ethical leadership and strong governance in the public sector are fundamental for businesses to flourish, and for the delivery of essential services such as healthcare and education,” Mr Davis said.
“The Pacific Public Service Commissioners’ Conference is aligned with this focus.
“We are part of this region and are committed to supporting strong governance and ethical leadership – which ensures peace, stability and prosperity.”
The annual conference of Pacific public service leaders provides a forum to share information and experiences, and to identify, develop, cooperate and mutually promote public service excellence in the region.
The 2017 PPSCC coincides with the second meeting of the Precinct’s Executive Advisory Board, which will enable discussions about the potential for collaboration between nations in the development of public sector leaders.
UPNG School of Business and Public Policy academic staff with UPNG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam, and Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai (back-centre).
The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy will integrate gender equality into its curriculum, as part of a new approach to changing behaviours.
A gender workshop was held at the university recently for the school of business staff to ensure gender issues become a part of student learning. The workshop was funded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities and facilitated through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam, said that the institution had an important role to play in creating change.
“Gender equality is so fundamentally critical to Papua New Guinea. This is one way of contributing to pushing back against these problems that are endemic across the world,” Professor Mellam said.
The School of Business Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, said that the time is right to embrace gender equality and embed it as part of the curriculum.
“Sustainable future growth must be based on the right principles, practices, and policies.
“We can integrate gender in to the way business, economics and public policy are taught, and change the way students think about these issues,” Professor Pillai said
Wasita Pomel, a Business Management tutor, and Nathan John, an Economics tutor, were among the participants at the Gender Equality Workshop.
Head of Business Management Evelyn Kua said education is crucial for improving opportunities for women in Papua New Guinea.
“Gender equality has been a foreign concept in the Papua New Guinean cultural context and that is a challenge which needs to be addressed.
“Traditionally, men have been the decision makers and the providers of food, shelter, and protection – but these trends are changing.
“We need to create a curriculum that can bridge the gap between tradition and the realities of today,” Mrs Kua said.
The University’s School of Business will use the outcomes of the workshop to promote gender equality as part of its curriculum, as part of the Papua New Guinea Government’s Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, and the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is part of the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership to build a new generation of ethical and accountable public and private sector leaders. The Precinct also works to ensure the Government’s GESI Policy is rolled out among all its stakeholders, including the University of Papua New Guinea.
UPNG Second Vice Chancellor’s Lecture of 2017 (from left to right) Lady Winifred Kamit, Founding Chairperson Coalition for Change, Ms Evan Biesco, case manager with Femili PNG, Ms Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year 2015 and Ms Monica Toiseneglia, HR Manager Steamships Transport.
The Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership continues its focus on improving gender equality and ending family sexual violence in the country.
A recent visit by anti-violence campaigner and 2015 Australian of the year, Rosie Batty, was an opportunity to showcase some of the achievements of the partnership.
In the law and justice sector, Australia in partnership with the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) is working to improve coordination and quality of services provided to survivors of violence.
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Rod Hilton said a recent workshop brought together provincial police, state lawyers and other stakeholders, to identify challenges and opportunities to improve services such as legal aid, medical attention and psychosocial services for survivors of violence.
“An effective response to ending family and sexual violence is about better access to justice, improved support services and ultimately, prevention,” Mr Hilton said.
Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney General and Chair of the National FSVAC, Dr Lawrence Kalinoe, described the workshop as an investment that would make a real impact on the lives of people.
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Rod Hilton (Front left), Department of Justice and Attorney General Secretary and Chair of the National FSVAC Dr Lawrence Kalinoe and participants of the referral pathways workshop.
“We have to make sure that whatever is written in the law actually gets translated into physical, tangible systems on the ground, and that they function properly,” Dr Kalinoe said.
Ms Batty who was the guest speaker at the workshop, commended participants for their passion and commitment to bringing about change.
Ms Batty also participated in the University of Papua New Guinea Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture supported through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct. Ms Batty said family violence needed to be part of the conversations at schools, in the workplace and at homes all over the world.
“Family violence exists in every pocket of every community across Australia. In Australia and Papua New Guinea, victims of family violence are overwhelmingly women. To work together on solutions is the only way to go.”
Ms Batty was in the country as part of her tour in support of Femili PNG, a local family and sexual violence case management centre based in Lae.
The Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership works across a number of sectors including education, health, law and justice gender and sport.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100
Dr Albert Prabhakar Gudapati, Head of UPNG SBPP Economics Division; Mr Kelly Samof, 2018 Economics Scholarship awardee; and Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, UPNG SBPP Executive Dean
An Economics student at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has been awarded a scholarship to continue his studies in Australia.
Kelly Samof, from Milne Bay, has been awarded the 2018 Economics Scholarship to study at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.
“I’m feeling really excited and privileged to go to Canberra next year and rejoin some of the ANU staff who taught me at UPNG,” Mr Samof said.
“It will be a great experience and I believe the master’s program will equip me with skills to meaningfully contribute to Papua New Guinea’s development. One day I’d like to work at the Bank of PNG or the Department of Treasury, where I can help to shape the nation through economic policy.”
Kelly recently completed a Bachelor of Economics at UPNG, where he will work as a tutor in the School of Business and Public Policy before commencing the Master of International Development and Economics Program at ANU.
UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, said the scholarship selection was based on grades, the results of an entrance exam, and interviews with candidates.
“The staff at UPNG and ANU were very impressed with Kelly’s academic performance and by his qualities as a person,” Professor Pillai said.
“The experience of joining the School of Business and Public Policy team as a tutor will help him to continue to develop as a leader.”
Ani Rova, who is currently studying at ANU under the economics scholarship program, said it had been a great opportunity, both in terms of education and personal development.
“There are a lot of challenges and I want to encourage Kelly to be well-prepared for the program as well as the cold weather,” Mr Rova said.
“He will need to become very skilled in the quantitative aspects of the course, such as mathematical economics and econometrics.”
Each year, ANU academics teach economics and public policy to hundreds of UPNG School of Business and Public Policy students.
The institutions are part of the Pacific leadership and Governance Precinct – an initiative of the Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments to strengthen public sector leadership.
Future Leaders Program participants, Sylvia Gemung and Elisha Peono.
Emerging public sector leaders participating in the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Future Leaders program believe they can advance employment opportunities for women throughout the country.
The Future Leaders program is supporting public servants to improve their technical and leadership skills, and to become champions of key policies in the Government of Papua New Guinea, such as the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy.
Elisha Peono, a GESI officer with the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority, said the Future Leaders Program is helping to develop strong and ethical leaders that can create more opportunities for marginalised groups in Papua New Guinea.
“The Future Leaders Program is a good combination of the theoretical and practical aspects, and taking part will help me realise my potential,” Mr Peono said.
“When we go out in to the workforce we can be leaders in policy creation and decision making. Gender Equity and Social Inclusion is about improving accessibility to employment and participation in the workforce, particularly to improve the number of women in decision making positions.”
The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop capable and ethical public sector leaders who will be able to lead and manage the delivery of fair and impartial government services for all citizens of Papua New Guinea.
The Department of Personnel Management is currently reviewing applications for the second cohort of the Future Leaders program, which is scheduled to begin in May of this year.
Sylvia Gemung, a women’s officer with the Morobe Provincial Administration, said the Future Leaders Program will help her take the step up.
“The Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments are looking at empowering women and getting them active in the upper levels of the public sector,” Ms Gemung said.
“I’m challenged and inspired, and I believe in my heart that after completing this training there will be room for me to get up there.
“This program will help me greatly in implementing government policies at a provincial level.”
The Future Leaders Program has been created specifically for the Papua New Guinea public sector and is based on Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy. Applicants are awarded places on merit through a competitive assessment process.
It is delivered in collaboration with the University of Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration and the University of Queensland, under the guidance of the Department of Personnel Management and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
Participants undertake a combination of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions, academic course work, and workplace projects.
Left to right: Senior APEC Analyst Carlos Kuriyama, APEC Secretariat Executive Director Alan Bollard, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council Secretary General Eduardo Pedrosa and the PNG Government Ambassador to APEC Ivan Pomelau.
Leading Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) experts say Papua New Guinea stands to benefit from being in the global spotlight when it hosts the APEC forum in 2018, including an anticipated boost to investment, tourism and trade.
A forum was held last week to raise awareness of the opportunities that APEC would present in 2018, following the APEC Policy Development Dialogue between Papua New Guinea, Australia and senior APEC officials from across the region.
The forum was hosted by the Australian High Commission and the Papua New Guinea APEC Secretariat through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct. The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop future leaders and drive public policy debate.
Australia is supporting Papua New Guinea in its policy preparations for APEC, including the provision of training for officials to develop, advocate and implement policies, and the establishment of the APEC Study Centre at the National Research Institute.
Dr Alan Bollard, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat based in Singapore, said hosting APEC was a big task and Papua New Guinea was advancing in its preparations for the event.
Attendants, including National Research Institute Director Dr Charles Yala, had the opportunity to put questions to the APEC experts.
“APEC is trying to integrate the Asia-Pacific region economically by cutting trade barriers and keeping the spirit of trade, investments, people movement and economic integration alive.
“By hosting APEC Papua New Guinea will get a lot of exposure internationally from people that didn’t know much about the country.
“People will better understand the sorts of trade, tourism and investment opportunities that exist here,” Dr Bollard said.
Rod Hilton, Minister Counsellor at the Australian High Commission, said hosting APEC is a privilege and an exciting prospect for the country.
“APEC offers the unrivalled opportunity of bringing the attention of world leaders to Papua New Guinea,” Mr Hilton said.
“PNG will be able to showcase its culture, people, beauty, economy and opportunities to the world.
“Australia is happy to partner with Papua New Guinea to support its hosting of APEC, including providing both security and policy support.”
Precinct partners were amongst the attendants at the event, including Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager at the Department of Personnel Management, and Ponnusamy Manohar, Deputy Dean at the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy.
Papua New Guinea Government Ambassador to APEC, Ivan Pomaleu, said a lot of work had gone in to preparing for the APEC Policy Dialogue.
“This has been a very useful exchange and we are a taking the commentary and critical analysis of the APEC Secretariat on board,” Mr Pomaleu said.
“A large group of officials representing various government agencies right throughout our public service will be upskilled through the Australian partnership program in preparation for 2018.”
Pacific Economic Cooperation Council Secretary General Eduardo Pedrosa and Senior APEC Analyst Carlos Kuriyama also attended the forum.
The electoral history of Papua New Guinea since the 1970s has been made available online for use by the public and researchers.
The Papua New Guinea Electoral Results Database, launched today (eds. 16 March), is a comprehensive source of information on the nation’s elections.
It maps the country’s 111 provincial and open constituencies and provides information on voting patterns over the last four decades.
Working closely with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission, the Australian National University Development Policy Centre has produced the database, which presents election information in a way that is easy to understand. The database is now available and free for all to use through the Development Policy Centre website.
The creation of the database has been supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop capable and ethical leaders.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davis, said the PNG Electoral Results Database would inform the development of high-quality policy and reform.
“Strong and effective policy always has its foundations in a good evidence-base,” Mr Davis said.
“A good understanding of voting patterns and trends can help the Electoral Commission manage elections in Papua New Guinea.”
“Australia’s support for the election database continues a longstanding partnership between the Papua New Guinea and Australian Electoral Commissions.”
1. Those in attendance at the launch received a free lesson on how to use the database. From left to right: Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Secretary, Professor David Kavanamur; Department of Personnel Management Secretary, Mr John Kali; the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, HE Bruce Davis; and University of Papua New Guinea Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam.
Dr Terence Wood (right) speaks to Ms Annie Pake (centre) and Ms Stephanie Kamuliagen (left) – third year students at the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy.
3. The Australian High Commissioner to PNG, HE Bruce Davis, launched the database at UPNG.
4. The electoral results database includes an interactive map to illustrate PNG’s 111 constituencies.
A new master’s program at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) will enable future leaders develop and implement high-quality public policy that will shape the nation.
The Master of Economic and Public Policy was launched today (eds. 16 March) and is a result of the collaboration between the University of Papua New Guinea School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University, supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The Precinct is a partnership between the Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments, which provides education and professional development to support capable and ethical public sector leadership.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis said training leaders with expertise in the disciplines of economic and public policy was crucial to any nation’s future prosperity.
“The policy decisions made by governments drive economic and social development and the delivery of services to the people,” Mr Davis said.
“The University of Papua New Guinea was the country’s first university and one that has continued to play an important role in shaping the leaders of the nation.
“The Master of Economic and Public Policy will continue this tradition of producing high-quality graduates; technically skilled and capable leaders who can apply these qualities in a way that is relevant to PNG.”
The School of Business and Public Policy is in the process of finalising a new five-year strategy that will ensure there is a strong academic and research program in place.
The new strategy will cement the School’s place as one of the emerging schools of business and public policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
A new School of Business and Public Policy building is also currently being constructed under the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct partnership.
The building will provide students and staff with a modern space for learning, discussion and research.
The University of Papua New Guinea is a leading provider of Accounting, Business, Economics, Public Policy Management programs at the undergraduate level and Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Strategic Management, and Economic and Public Policy at the Master’s level.
Papua New Guinea has taken another step on the path to adopting global best practice in open and accountable management of its extractive resources.
A three-day workshop hosted by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and the Papua New Guinea Secretariat of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) was held in Port Moresby last week to strengthen the way in which revenue from the industry is managed through improved transparency and ethical leadership in the sector.
The workshop involved key resources sector stakeholders from government, industry and civil society.
Papua New Guinea applied to join the EITI three years ago, recognising the benefits to citizens and investors of having improved transparency around the management of the nation’s natural wealth.
The workshop follows PNGEITI’s 2014 report, which identified opportunities for improvements to the sector’s reporting and management.
Deputy Secretary for Treasury, Manu Momo, said the Government had made significant progress towards becoming EITI accredited.
“Despite our challenges, we have achieved a lot in implementing the global EITI standards,” he said.
“The EITI initiative has the potential to deliver significant benefits through increased accountability and transparency.
This means having information available to stimulate more debate on public policy and how to best manage our resource revenue.”
PNGEITI Secretariat Head Lucas Alkan said: “This is a very exciting collaboration between the Precinct and the PNGEITI, which have joined together to improve governance and transparency in the extractive sector.”
“With strong leadership, this industry can be a platform for social and economic change.”
The acceptance of Papua New Guinea as an EITI compliant country, if achieved, will contribute to building a better business environment based on transparency and increased accountability.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop capable and ethical leaders who will drive economic growth and improve service delivery.
Australian High Commission Counsellor for Economic Governance, Jodie McAlister, said ensuring appropriate benifits from the resources industry was a challenge shared by Australia.
“The extractives sector is a vital part of the economies of both Papua New Guinea and Australia,” she said.
“The challenge that has been presented to our two countries is to ensure that the revenues from these non-renewable resources are used to build for future generations.
While these resources are finite, with strong governance and leadership the extractives sector can provide the basis for sustainable development, economic growth and diversification.”
PNGEITI is a Government-led initiative, which is supported by companies, civil society groups, investors and international organizations.
It provides a platform for these groups to review, assess, and report on what is being paid by companies and received by governments from extractive industry operations.
The Australian High Commission congratulates the 321 Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) students who graduated on Friday 10 March 2017.
Forty-two of the graduates are public servants who have been awarded Australian-accredited diplomas, supported through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
Women represented 54 per cent of graduates in the Precinct-supported courses – the Diploma of Government (Management), and Diploma Training Design and Development.
The Precinct is a joint initiative of the PNG and Australian Governments to develop ethical and capable public sector leaders.
Australian High Commission Counsellor, Jodie McAlister, said graduates should feel proud of their achievements.
“This graduation ceremony is a celebration of the hard work of the students and staff at PNGIPA.
“The graduates have shown great dedication, which will serve them well as they apply their learning in the workplace,” Ms McAlister said
Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd who attended the graduation said: “You don’t need to be a high ranking official to lead.
“Leadership is demonstrated in your decisions, your behaviours and your actions, regardless of your seniority.
“Leadership is a vital element of a high-performing public service.”
Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs officer Julia Auka was one of the public servants who completed the Diploma of Government (Management).
She said the training has given her practical skills and renewed confidence in her own abilities.
“The Diploma changed the way I communicate at work.
“It made me come out of my comfort zone and speak up. When I talk to my colleagues now, I am focused on looking at solutions,” Ms Auka said.
The graduation ceremony was the 19th at PNGIPA, the nation’s premiere school of government.
The Precinct supports capacity-building and planning activities for PNGIPA, and the delivery of diploma courses accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority. The Precinct is also supporting the construction of new infrastructure at the institution, including a new administration wing and library.
More than 1200 Papua New Guineans from both the public service and the private sector are making a difference in their work places this year thanks to important training provided through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
This was among the highlights of the inaugural sitting of the Precinct’s Executive Advisory Board in Port Moresby today (December 1).
The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to support efforts to develop ethical leaders and to build the capacity of the Papua New Guinea public and private sector.
Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali and Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology Professor David Kavanamur and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis were among those attending the Executive Advisory Board Meeting.
Secretary Kali said the Precinct supported Papua New Guinea’s strong public sector reform agenda.
“The public service is undergoing a process of modernisation that will ensure it is equipped to meet the challenges that Papua New Guinea faces as it looks to the future.”
“The Precinct is underpinned by the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy,” Mr Kali said.
“These are key policies that will drive us towards PNG Vision 2050.”
Training offered through the Precinct is tailored to suit the needs of existing and emerging leaders in the workforce. It includes Australian-certified diploma level training through the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration; economics at UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy; and short courses on topics such as extractive industries, leadership and innovation in agriculture, and Women on Boards.
High Commissioner Davis said: “The Precinct demonstrates the modern partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia.”
“This joint initiative will continue to develop capable and ethical public sector leaders, who are aware of their important role in the development of PNG and the region”.
“A strong public service is vital for sustained economic growth and improved service delivery.”
The meeting was chaired by Father Jan Czuba. Other members of the board are private sector representative David Guinn, eminent Australian businessman Tony Shepherd, Catholic Archbishop Douglas Young and Dame Meg Taylor, Secretariat of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat.
The new Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is supporting one of Papua New Guinea’s most important economic sectors by strengthening the leadership capabilities of government officials tasked with managing the nation’s resources-dependent economy.
With a focus on supporting current and future generations of Papua New Guinean leaders, the Precinct brought together a mix of technocrats along with key industry players in Port Moresby this week to consider public policy challenges and opportunities in the extractives sector.
Participants, including senior officials from government departments and state owned enterprises, discussed the challenges and opportunities for improved governance in the PNG extractives sector, the impact of low commodity prices, revenue transparency, ways to enhance PNG’s economic stewardship and ways to better develop and implement Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – the EITI.
The Precinct, which was officially launched on 6 November by PNG’s Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu, Higher Education Minister Tabar and Australia’s Foreign Minister Bishop, is a joint PNG-Australian initiative to promote ethical and technically-competent leadership.
PNG’s extractives industry requires skilled regulators more than ever. Sharply lower commodities prices have contributed to a 12 per cent reduction in the PNG’s 2016 budget forecast. At the same time potential new mining and gas developments would, if realized, offer new revenue sources for the country.
Supported by the PNG and Australian Governments in partnership with ExxonMobil PNG, the University of Queensland-delivered workshop focused on how pragmatic policy-making and implementation can overcome existing capacity constraints. Speakers offered perspective on PNG’s position in the global and regional economies, and drew on lessons both from PNG’s history as well as case studies from Africa, Asia and Australia.
Acting Australian High Commissioner in PNG Bronte Moules said Papua New Guinea and Australia ‘enjoy an abundance of mineral and petroleum resources, and these are the powerhouses of our economies – we are clearly natural partners to collaborate on and to deliver a leadership in extractive industries event’.
ExxonMobil PNG’s Managing Director Andrew Barry commended the joint PNG and Australian governments’ focus on building the next generation of PNG leadership. He further commented that the opportunity for PNG to earn value through LNG over the long term is strong, and that “industry, government and community came together on the PNG LNG Project in a truly remarkable way.”
In December 2014 the Commonwealth of Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ExxonMobil PNG focused on building development partnerships. The Precinct collaboration follows on from other partnerships in law and justice with ExxonMobil and the Hela provincial government.
At the Precinct’s official launch last week, PNG’s Minister for the Public Service Sir Puka Temu said new courses would build a new generation of public service leaders.
“They will promote national development and standards of competence and strengthen the culture of integrity in the PNG public service,” he said. “The Precinct will facilitate the establishment of professional networks and partnerships to develop and grow public sector leaders, men and women alike.”
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop told the launch that enhancing public sector leadership would allow PNG to cement the benefits of recent economic gains.
“The challenge facing this generation of PNG leaders, and the next, is to take even bigger strides and build the very robust institutions that support successful and prosperous nations,” she said.
ExxonMobil PNG’s Managing Director Andrew BarryDepartment of Treasury Secretary Dairi VeleCourse participants from the Autonomous Bougainville Government
Course participants from the Internal Revenue Commission
The new Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct will help district officials deliver better services to everyday Papua New Guineans, Public Services Minister Sir Puka Temu says.
Sir Puka told the Precinct’s official launch that the new partnership with Australia would play important role in the O’Neill Government’s decentralisation strategy by ensuring District Development Authorities could properly manage a surge in public funding.
“The current crop of public servants who are now taking charge of the new District Development Authorities and the large volumes of funding (now available) were not trained to manage that level of resources,” Sir Puka said. “And therefore we need to catchup quickly.”
Sir Puka officially launched the Precinct with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, and cabinet colleague Malakai Tabar, the Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology, last Friday (November 6, 2015).
Minister Bishop said that as a friend and development partner, Australia wanted to help PNG make the most of recent economic gains.
“Given the dramatic economic changes that have taken place in recent years, Australia is deeply committed – as is the government of PNG – to ensuring that the nation is able to embrace economic growth and sustain it for the future,” she said.
“A key element of that is ensuring that there is competent and efficient government at all levels. And in a robust democracy like PNG, it is essential that there be a competent, ethical, skilled public service.”
Minister Tabar said the Precinct launch marked the beginning of a new era in which public officials would be better able to make decisions for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans.
“To ensure Papua New Guinea continues its path to prosperity, we need to ensure our country has the high-performing, ethical and technically-proficient leaders, that can capitalise on our abundant wealth in mineral and petroleum resources, and map the course for future generations,” he said.
Sir Puka paid tribute to the PNG Institute of Public Administration – a key Precinct partner – and its Australian-funded technical advisers, for moving quickly to implement a new training program for District Development Authority chief executives.
“This is the level that we must move very, very fast on, because our people are demanding transparency and accountability,” he said. “Our bottom line is this enormous volume of resources must go and improve the education standard of our children, the health standard of our people… And therefore, skilling them, developing competencies, and building what I call this critical mass of middle managers in the country, is so, so important for us.”
Sir Puka said strengthening the nation’s institutions by improving the leadership capabilities of officials was crucial to ensuring future prosperity.
“I believe that with the new leadership that we will create, we will pick up the baton and deliver the vision that our citizens have, and that is an improved quality of life,” Sir Puka said.
The Precinct launch was attended by more than 150 senior figures from government, the private sector and civil society.
Ms Bishop said the Precinct’s contribution to nation-building would help transform PNG and its relationship with Australia.
“Of course, we want to ensure that over time PNG is so able to manage its resources and sustain this economic growth, that our partnership will again change in its nature so that we can focus on trade and investment between our two countries, rather than the aid-donor, aid-recipient relationship that it has been in the past,” she said.
The Precinct partnership between the Government of Papua New Guinea and Australia aims to strengthen ethical leadership capabilities in PNG and across the region through degree and diploma courses in public policy, management and economics.
An executive leadership program is also providing mid-career public servants and private sector managers with the skills they need to step up into senior leadership roles.
The University of Papua New Guinea’s business school has changed its name to reflect a new emphasis on public policy as part of a groundbreaking initiative to train the next generation of PNG leaders.
The new School of Business and Public Policy will be strengthened with additional academic staff and a new faculty building under a partnership between the Papua New Guinean and Australian Governments.
The rebranded school forms part of the new Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, an initiative of both countries to produce ethical and accountable leaders who will improve services across PNG.
The school was formerly known as the School of Business Administration.
It will receive extra teaching staff and academic input from the Australian National University’s prestigious Crawford School of Public Policy.
It will continue to turn out graduates in economics and accounting, public policy, management and other business programs. A masters program in Public Policy is also in the early stages of planning.
Executive Dean of the school, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, said the name change was an important step, demonstrating the school’s new sense of purpose.
“The highest priority of the Precinct agreement is to improve the public service and service delivery,” he said.
“The school is going to play a major role in that, especially at the higher level, through its academic program.”
The name change was recently approved by the University Senate and University Council.
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Rod Hilton said Australia was proud to support the PNG government in its ambitions to strengthen the bureaucracy at national, provincial and district level.
He said the school’s new focus on public policy would help prepare future leaders who were capable of managing PNG’s resources for the benefit of all.
“It’s hoped those individuals will go out into the workforce and improve services for all Papua New Guineans,” Mr Hilton said.
“The Precinct is about building that human capital that is so important to nation building.”
He said the Precinct was a genuine partnership between Australia and PNG to provide values-based leadership capabilities to future public and private sector leaders.
The Precinct includes the PNG Institute of Public Administration, which offers diploma and certificate courses for public servants.
The Precinct also offers executive leadership training for public sector leaders through specialist training providers. Twenty top bureaucrats recently commenced a 12 month Precinct course on governance and public policy.
