Public servants have been urged to set aside the wantok system at work and support a new culture of integrity that will strengthen governance and economic development.
Department of Personnel Management Secretary John Kali issued the challenge to forty emerging public service leaders nominated by government departments, agencies and provincial administrations to undergo studies with the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The six month Diploma of Government is delivered by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration with support from the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Secretary Kali said participants had been identified as future leaders capable of contributing positively to the development of the nation.
“We need to change the working environment so we provide a service that is ethical and also empower our women colleagues,” Mr Kali said.
“When we have good and value based leaders from the top level down … they’ll know and perform their duties ethically over a period of time which will then become their culture and conduct, said Secretary Kali.
Josephine Kama, a Monitoring and Evaluations Officer with the Western Highlands Provincial Administration was among the course participants.
“Western Highlands Province is a male dominated society and it’s very challenging as a woman performing a leadership role,” she said.
“Attending this course will empower me, and I’ll get more knowledge and go back to my province and contribute positively to its development and address these challenges.”
The Australian Public Service Commission’s Jason Preece encouraged the public servants to make the absolute most of the opportunity.
“After you leave the PNG Public Service, you will reflect on your time as a public servant who successfully led, made a difference and did the best for the family, for the people of this country, and helped to build this great nation.”
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of PNG and Australia to promote ethical leadership within the public service at the national, provincial and district level.