LAFIA Leading Australia s Future in Asia and the

LAFIA 2009 Leading Australia’s Future in Asia and the Pacific 23 August–5 September 2009 Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa in LAFIA (Leading Australia’s Future in Asia and the Pacific) is part of a suite of leadership programmes developed by the Australian Public Service Commission for senior public service executives. It is delivered in conjunction with the Crawford School of Economics and Government at The Australian National University, with support and input from the Australian Public Service Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. “ A remarkable opportunity to engage in personal reflection and question the extent of a public servant’s leadership responsibilities LAFIA participant Programme Background Join a diverse and high profile group of senior executives as part of LAFIA Pacific 2009. LAFIA Pacific 2009 analyses Australia’s contemporary engagement with the Pacific. As a senior executive, the programme encourages you to think about current developments in the region, their impact on Australia, your agency and yourself as a leader in government. The unique and challenging mix of political, economic, strategic and social issues in the Pacific have a direct impact on Australia’s strategic and economic interests. In recent years there has been significant civil disorder in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga. This has heightened the need for greater awareness and understanding of the complex historic, cultural, socioeconomic and political forces at work in the Pacific. You will gain a first hand understanding of the policy challenges facing Australia, as it implements policies to help secure political stability and economic development in the region. LAFIA Pacific 2009 takes you on a structured study tour of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Samoa. The Australian Government’s determination to re-engage with Pacific nations under its Pacific Partnership program in early 2008 has made significant progress; it is a rewarding time to be part of LAFIA Pacific 2009. LAFIA Pacific 2009 allows you to experience contemporary whole of government challenges that face Australia in the Pacific region, initially through an intensive Introductory Strategic Dialogue and associated briefings. When visiting Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa on the study tour, you will meet with senior government, business and a wide range of community leaders, including those from civil society. You will visit key political, commercial and community locations, and engage in stimulating discussions with influential decision makers. Key elements of LAFIA Pacific 2009 • gain deep insights into the motivation of the people of the region • broaden your understanding about Pacific institutions, culture and history • cultivate an awareness of demographic profiles, social and economic contexts and environmental challenges • refine your understanding of political and strategic implications for Australia • conduct high level dialogue with political powerbrokers, business entities, social and community leaders and government. LAFIA Pacific 2009 will help to make a distinctive contribution to enhancing your performance and leadership skills as a senior member of the Australian and New Zealand public sectors. Through a structured programme designed to meet your leadership needs and the wider perspectives of your portfolio, you are afforded a unique opportunity to experience first hand the social, economic and political pressures that interact across the Pacific. LAFIA Pacific 2009 takes you on a structured study tour of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa. “ Programme Features • Two day Introductory Strategic Dialogue in Canberra 9 and 10 July 2009 • Two week overseas study tour visiting Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa 23 August to 5 September 2009 • A post-study tour reporting and evaluation session in Canberra 15 October 2009 Each year around 25 senior executives from the Australian and New Zealand public sectors take part in LAFIA programmes across the Asia–Pacific. More than 260 senior executives have participated in the LAFIA programme, now in its sixteenth year. If you are a member of the APS Senior Executive Band 1, 2, or 3 (or equivalent) the programme gives you the context and background for the international dimension of your future senior leader responsibilities. It will enhance your strategic leadership, build senior executive business and management skills, promote a greater understanding of the region and how to conduct business there, and establish valuable contacts and networks. If you are aspiring to elite levels of leadership within the Senior Executive Service you cannot go beyond the unique experiences, challenges and substantial rewards of LAFIA. LAFIA Pacific 2009 focuses on: PAPUA NEW GUINEA Some 34 years after Papua New Guinea’s independence, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s government, continues to face many challenges in forging a united and stable nation from some 800 linguistically diverse communities separated by mountains, jungles, swamps and ocean. In seeking to develop a modern democratic nation that respects its traditions and culture, the government must also contend with the pressures of the global economy. Despite sound economic growth since 2003, real income per capita has declined. Subsistence farming, rural agriculture and large scale mining account for the bulk of economic activity, with significant migration to major city centres contributing to urban unemployment and social problems. Papua New Guinea is a major partner for Australia in the Pacific with an important bilateral relationship. Sustainable development remains a key issue for PNG, which is the recipient of one of Australia’s largest international aid programmes. VANUATU Despite extensive reform, recent political stability, and positive growth, Vanuatu’s economy nonetheless remains fragile and dependent on tourism and international aid. The Vanuatu Government has recently taken some initiatives in favour of traditional barter trading, instead of the cash economy, in an effort to slow the movement of people from rural villages to urban areas which have served to exacerbate unemployment. The renaissance of the traditional economy, and respect for the Chiefly system will have policy implications for the future of Vanuatu as a modern democratic state. You will have the opportunity to explore these challenging issues with senior government officials, business leaders and non-government organisations. You will also gain fresh perspectives on the complex policy questions common to a number of Melanesian nations. SAMOA Samoa has proved to be something of a benchmark in the Pacific because of its record for political stability, a strong society based on respect for traditional Chiefly (Matai) culture, the Christian faith, and progressive economic development. This has helped it to overcome some early economic setbacks, natural disasters, and to cope with the challenge of providing for sustainable development, given strong population pressures. Samoa plays an influential role in a range of Pacific issues, and in the Pacific Forum. It works closely with its neighbours, and values its close relationships with Australia and New Zealand. Introductory Strategic Dialogue The Introductory Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is an intensive two day briefing of Australia’s engagement with the Pacific designed to prepare you for your study tour. You will hear a diverse range of views focusing on the cultural, social, economic and political perspectives of the Pacific including key historical events as well as current and topical issues. The ISD is conducted by the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Economics and Government. The key to the success of the ISD is the quality of presentations from high profile professionals with long experience in engagement with the Pacific region. Over the two days you will hear from and interact with: Reporting and evaluation session The reporting and evaluation session is the opportunity to reflect and share your experiences and those of SES colleagues about the LAFIA Pacific 2009 programme to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa. Specifically, the session is an assessment of the personal and professional outcomes of LAFIA Pacific 2009 through its stated aims of: • improving your understanding of Australia’s role in the Pacific • enhancing your commitment to your agency and the role of the Australian and New Zealand public sectors • positively re-assessing your leadership functions, responsibilities and outcomes The reporting and evaluation session will be in Canberra on 15 October 2009. The session will be followed by a LAFIA Pacific 2009 dinner. • leading ANU academics • senior leaders from various Australian Public Service agencies and civil society • Diplomatic representatives from countries including Papua New Guinea and New Zealand • representatives from private sector corporations discussing the strategic challenges to building business in the Pacific. Discussion topics for LAFIA Pacific 2009 ISD include: Fees $23,300 (including GST) The fee includes academic course content, a programme of meetings with high level government, business and community leaders, briefings from senior Australian and other diplomats, official receptions and in-country transport. Travel, accommodation and allowances are additional costs to be met by sponsoring agencies. • history and culture in the Pacific • economic growth prospects, challenges and opportunities • governance, accountability and democratic institutions in the Pacific • future directions of the Pacific • Australia’s interests in the region • the pressures and opportunities posed by modernisation and globalisation • the effectiveness of development aid and its sustainability • security and policing in the Pacific • doing business in the Pacific • the role of strategic alliances Closing date for application— Friday, 15 May 2009 Application process—complete and return the LAFIA Pacific 2009 registration form on the back of this brochure. Further information For further information, please contact: Theresa Graham (Australian Public Service Commission) on (02)6202 3767, or email theresa.graham@apsc.gov.au. Study tour highlights • roundtables with Australian, international and Pacific business leaders discussing business, finance and international trade issues • formal cocktail receptions, dinners and informal discussions hosted by Australian diplomatic representatives in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa • high level briefings by Australian diplomatic staff on Pacific economic, political, trade and security priorities • intensive discussions with Pacific regional public sector counterparts • stimulating forums with key Pacific non-government organisations and community leaders • informative media sessions with Pacific journalists • fully escorted visits to a range of Pacific historical, cultural and social activities and institutions • roundtable discussions with key government leaders and policy advisers on the Pacific’s bilateral and regional strategic policy agenda • briefings with senior international and Australian aid representatives on aid priorities • streamed visits and meetings tailored to your specific areas of interest • structured free time to refresh, reinvigorate and re-group • insightful briefing sessions with Mr Bob Cotton Visiting Fellow from the Crawford School of Economics and Government, ANU Programme Directors Peter Drysdale, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the Crawford School, ANU has played a key role in research and dialogue on economic development and international economic and trade relations of the Asia Pacific region. He led the intellectual work in support of the creation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Forum and of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council (PECC). Mr Bob Cotton, is a Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Economics and Government. He had a long and distinguished service as an Australian diplomat with a career focused on the Asia–Pacific region. He was Head of the South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1992 and through the years, served as Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, to Malaysia, as Ambassador to Fiji (and Tuvalu), and subsequently as High Commissioner to New Zealand (with dual accreditation to the Cook Islands and Niue). He then served as the Prime Ministers Special Envoy to PNG in 2003, and as a member of the Eminent Persons Group reviewing Pacific Policy for the Pacific Forum in 2004. Mr Cotton brings to the LAFIA Pacific programme, an intimate knowledge of the political economy of the Pacific nations, their history, geography and customs, regional and ethical conflicts as well as a recent history of the region’s diplomacy, and the significance of Australia’s interests in the region informed by his long and illustrious career in Foreign Affairs. Australian Public Service Commission Programme Registration ABN 99 470 863 260 LAFIA Pacific 2009—Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa Please fax this application form to Theresa Graham on 02 6202 3799 Programme name Study tour dates Surname Mr Ms Mrs Miss other LAFIA PACIFIC 2009 23 August to 5 September 2009 First name Classification Title/position Branch/team Postal address Agency AGS Number Phone Email Facsimile Agency ABN Special needs Please note any special dietary or other requirements Authorised person to complete and sign I understand the terms and conditions below. Name Phone Signature Date Cost $23,300 (GST inclusive) Upon registration a tax invoice will be sent to you for payment TERMS AND CONDITIONS Fees and charges: Any cancellations from this programme must be advised in writing. Written cancellations received by 9 July 2009 will be entitled to a full refund. Cancellations received after 9 July 2009, will incur full charges. Substitute participants of the appropriate level, will be accepted up to 8 July 2009. Identifying information: Your information is collected for the purpose of the Public Service Commissioner’s functions under the Public Service Act 1999, which include coordinating and supporting APS�wide training and career development opportunities and fostering leadership and reporting on the State of the Service. It will be used for course administration, statistical analysis and evaluation of programmes. Some details may be disclosed to your home agency for administrative and statistical/monitoring purposes. Your information may be used to distribute information about other Commission�run or sponsored opportunities and to check our other databases. Occasionally mailing lists are made available to bodies with related functions. If you do not wish to have your information used for marketing purposes email aspcmailing@apsc.gov.au. For more details see our privacy statement at http://www.apsc.gov.au.