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Leading Australia's Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA)
In 2008, 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 2008 will focus on India, Thailand the Singapore
- LAFIA Pacific 2008 will focus on Australia's Pacific neighbours-Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands
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 240 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its fifteenth 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 2008 (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands)
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 2008.
LAFIA Pacific 2008 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 political, economic, strategic and social issues in the Pacific region directly affect Australia’s strategic and economic directions and policies. Recent civil disorder in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga has heightened the need for greater awareness and understanding of the Pacific’s complex historic, cultural, socioeconomic and political background. Through a first hand understanding of the Pacific and its policy challenges, Australia plays a key role in securing stable economic development in the region.
LAFIA Pacific 2008 takes you on a personally structured study tour of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
The Australian Government’s intention to actively re-engage with the Pacific nations’ remarkable progress in this arena makes it a compelling time to be part of LAFIA Pacific 2008.
LAFIA Pacific 2008 allows you to experience contemporary whole of government challenges that face the Pacific region initially through intensive pre-tour diplomatic and academic briefings. When in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands you will meet with senior government, business and community leaders, visit key political, commercial and community locations and engage in stimulating discussions with influential decision makers.
Key elements of the LAFIA Pacific 2008
- 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 context
- refine your understanding of political and strategic implications and
- conduct high level dialogue with political powerbrokers, business entities and government.
LAFIA Asia 2008 is 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 dimensions that charge the Pacific.
Programme Features
- Two day Introductory Strategic Dialogue in Canberra
4-5 September 2008 - Two week overseas study tour visiting Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands
27 September to 12 October 2008 - A post-study tour reporting and evaluation session in Canberra
6 November 2008
LAFIA Pacific 2008 focuses on Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Papua New Guinea – More than 30 years after Papua New Guinea’s independence Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare is facing challenges in forging a nation from 800 linguistically diverse communities separated by mountains, jungles, swamps and ocean. Despite the economy growing since 2003, real income per capita has declined. Subsistence farming still accounts for the bulk of economic activity, with migration to major city centres in the past decade contributing to urban unemployment and social problems. Sustainable development is a key issue with PNG which is the recipient of one of Australia’s largest international aid programs.
Vanuatu – Despite extensive reform and recent growth Vanuatu’s economy remains fragile and dependent on tourism and international aid. The Vanuatu Government has recently discouraged a ‘cash economy’ in favour of traditional barter trading in an effort to stop the movement of people from rural villages to outskirts of cities, creating urban slums and exacerbating unemployment. The renaissance of the traditional economy has policy implications for the future of Vanuatu and the Pacific in general. Explore these aspects with senior government officials, business leaders and non-government organisations and gain fresh perspectives on the complex policy questions common to a number of Melanesian nations.
Solomon Islands – Governance is a major issue in the Solomons with local loyalties and traditional practices often taking priority over imported national institutions. However there are expectations that under new Prime Minister, Derek Sikua there will be improved domestic and international relations. Australia’s deep and longstanding relationship with the Solomon Islands is reflected in the highly regarded Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). LAFIA Pacific 2008 will have a timely return to the Solomons to review the success of RAMSI, evaluate the state of economic and developmental progress and explore opportunities for a deep and constructive bilateral engagement with the new government.
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 2008 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 the Solomon Islands
- 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, Professor Andrew MacIntyre and Mr Bob Cotton 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 2008 programme to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Specifically the session is an assessment of the personal and professional outcomes of LAFIA Pacific 2008 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 6 November 2008.
The session will be followed by a LAFIA Pacific 2008 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—Monday, 5 May 2008
Application process—complete and return the LAFIA 2008 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 4 September 2008 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 4 September 2008.
Further information
For further information, please contact Theresa Graham (Australian Public Service Commission) on (02) 6202 3767, or email theresa.graham@apsc.gov.au.
