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Leading Australia's Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA)
In 2009, two LAFIA programmes will be conducted by the Australian Public Service Commission in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and The Crawford School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University.
- LAFIA Asia 2009 will focus on China and South Korea and run from 30 May to 20 June 2009
- LAFIA Pacific 2009 will focus on Australia's Pacific neighbours-Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa and run from 23 August to 5 September 2009
Key senior executive government programme
Each year around 25 senior executives from the Australian and New Zealand public sector take part in LAFIA programmes across Asia and the Pacific. More than 260 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its sixteenth year.
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 (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa)
If you are a member of the Commonwealth, State or New Zealand public service senior executive (Band 1, 2, or 3 or equivalent) this programme gives you the context and background for the international dimension of your senior leader responsibilities.
Enhance your strategic leadership, build senior executive business and management skills, promote a greater understanding of the region and its significance and establish valuable contacts and networks.
Programme background
Join a diverse and high profile senior executives as part of LAFIA Pacific 2009.
LAFIA Pacific 2009 analyses Australia’s contemporary engagement with the Pacific region. LAFIA encourages you as a senior executive to think about the effects of current developments within the region 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 Samoa.
The Australian Government’s determination to re-engage with Pacific nations under its Pacific Partnership programme in early 2008 has made significant progress—it is a compelling time to be part of LAFIA Pacific 2009.
LAFIA Pacific 2009 allows you to experience contemporary challenges that face the Pacific region initially through intensive pre-tour diplomatic and academic briefings. When in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa 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 the 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 and
- conduct high level dialogue with political powerbrokers, business entities and government.
LAFIA Asia 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 and tailored programme designed to meet your portfolio needs and wider interests you are afforded a unique opportunity to experience first hand the social, economic and political pressures that interact across the Pacific.
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
LAFIA Pacific 2009 focuses on Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa.
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 programs.
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:
- leading ANU academics
- senior leaders from various Australian Public Service agencies
- Diplomatic representatives from countries including Papua New Guinea and New Zealand
- representatives from private sector corporations discussing the strategic context of business building in the Pacific.
Discussion topics for LAFIA Pacific 2009 ISD include:
- 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
Study tour highlights
- roundtables with Australian, international and Pacific business leaders discussing business, finance and international trade
- 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 attractions
- 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 senior academic facilitators, Emeritus Professor Peter Drysdale, Professor of Economics and Mr Bob Cotton, Visiting Fellow from the Crawford School of Economics and Government, ANU
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.
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.
Closing date for application — Friday, 15 May 2009
Application process—complete and return the LAFIA 2009 registration form on the back of this brochure.
Cancellation
Any cancellations from the programme must be advised in writing. Written cancellations received within 30 days of the commencement of the programme on 9 July 2009 will be entitled to a full refund. Cancellations received after this date will incur full charges. Substitute participants of the appropriate level will be accepted up to 8 July 2009.
Further information
For further information, please contact Theresa Graham (Australian Public Service Commission) on (02) 6202 3767, or email theresa.graham@apsc.gov.au.
