Bougainville Senior Leadership Professional Development Programme 2023-2024
The BSLPDP is an Australian Government programme implemented by the University of Melbourne Initiative for Peacebuilding with financial support from the New Zealand Government. The programme supports the professional development needs of senior government officials (President, Ministers and Secretaries) from Bougainville and the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG).
The BSLPDP focused on sharing knowledge through experiences and stories from relevant Melanesian, Australian (especially First Nations) and other contexts, and enabling participants to apply and develop these in relation to their own unique situations. Partnership, valuing local knowledge generation and innovation, and gender-sensitivity and inclusion are key themes. By working closely with subject matter experts from Asia-Pacific to inform the curriculum, the programme contributes to the Advancing Melbourne Globally 2030 agenda, strengthening relationships with a global community of scholars, experts and partners. Input into this project include scholars and experts from Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.
The program formally commenced in October 2023 and runs through to December 2024.
The first five modules were delivered in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the final module took place at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Module 6 provided opportunities for the ABG to engage in an international sharing experience with experts, policy makers, researchers and government officials with relevant experience from governments and institutions overseas.
The program content is centred around the professional development needs of Bougainville senior government leaders across the following key themes of:
- Ethical leadership
- Governance
- Policy making
- Government and public relations
- Financial planning and management
- Economic development
Project team
The University of Melbourne delivered the BSLPDP in collaboration with the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute of Australia (PaCSIA) and Bougainville Women's Federation as well as a range of subject matter experts.
The Project is led by the University of Melbourne’s Dr Tania Miletic and BSLPDP team members include Laura Raicu (UoM) and Dr Serge Loode, Dave Kozar and Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey (PaCSIA); with Prof Helen Bishop (IKI), James Tanis (Bougainville) and Barbara Tanne (BWF) as contextualisation consultants and advisors.
Program overview
| Module name and details | Intended learning outcomes | Subject matter expert/s |
|---|---|---|
Module 1: Ethical Leadership 17-19 October 2023 Location: Buka Ethical leadership is grounded in values and principles that guide everyday decisions. Integrity, transparency and accountability are some of the values that underpin ethical leadership. In Bougainville ethical leadership is demonstrated by a commitment to collective wellbeing, peace, inclusive decision making, respect, honour and being in service to others. | 1. Enhance conceptual understanding of ethical leadership and its application in government. 2. Identify strengths of customary leadership and its applicability in governance and development. 3. Apply values-based leadership in delivering public services. 4. Analyse power dynamics and enhance understanding of gender sensitive leadership. 5. Apply ethical leadership in recruitment, performance management and professional development. 6. Understand how the process of ontological coaching can help further develop leadership skills. | Minister Ralph Regenvanu Minister Ralph Regenvanu is Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management. Ralph is currently serving his fifth term as the Member of Parliament for Vanuatu’s capital city – which is also Vanuatu’s largest urban centre, Port Vila. Dr Tania Miletic and Dr Serge Loode (BSLPDP) Mr Tony Liston (Coaching) |
Module 2: Governance 6-8 February 2024 Location: Buka Module 2 provided participants with case studies, theoretical models and practical experiences of different governance systems, processes of deliberative and participatory democracy. | 1. Critically analyse the effectiveness of governance in Bougainville and develop lessons for the future. 2. Introduce analytical tools to identify strengths and challenges in Melanesian and other selected case models of governance. 3. Enhance understanding of the applicability of customary governance mechanisms in relation to democratic governance. 4. Develop an understanding of governance systems and how this applies to governance in Bougainville. 5. Enhance understanding of the role and applicability of deliberative and participatory processes in governance. 6. Enhance knowledge of key principles and practices for enhancing inclusive governance and how they can apply in Bougainville. | Dr Tania Miletic and Dr Serge Loode (BSLPDP) Dr Michael Breen Dr Michael Breen is a Lecturer in Public Policy (MECAF) in the School of Social and Political Sciences. Prof Anthony Regan Anthony Regan is Professor at the Department of Pacific Affairs, School of International, Political & Strategic Studies, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs of the Australian National University. Prof Gonzaga Paus Professor Gonzaga Paus is at the Pacific Islands University and Founder of Micronesia Institute of Research and Development. |
Workshop 1: Foundation Principles of Communication and Negotiation 13-14 February 2024 Location: Buka The first of two additional workshops focused on skills to enhance communication and negotiation across the roles of government departments. | 1. Enhance analysis, planning and implementation skills for constructive negotiation approaches. 2. Enhance understanding of different negotiation approaches, for example integrative and distributive negotiation. 3. Analyse examples and experiences of international and domestic negotiation scenarios with an emphasis on problem-solving, importance of relationships and managing power dynamics. | Dr Tania Miletic and Dr Serge Loode (BSLPDP) Dr Emma Leslie AM Emma Leslie an Australian–Cambodian, is the founder director of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, supporting peace processes and conflict transformation in Asia. |
Module 3: Policy-making 23-25 April 2024 Location: Buka Module 3 focused on the idea of public policy as a problem-solving process that uses different policy instruments (laws, regulations, financial incentives, direct action, campaigns for behavioural change) to respond to an issue. Choosing the appropriate options for policy instruments can determine how and to which extent an issue is being responded to. | 1. Enhance understanding of the role of political and administrative processes in policy making. 2. Enhance understanding of government decision-making processes and fundamental issues around how public administration works. 3. Engage in effective and evidence-based policy formulation processes – critical analysis, using empirical information and problem formulation 4. Understand the need for developing and implementing gender-responsive, conflict sensitive and inclusive policies. | Dr Tania Miletic and Dr Serge Loode (BSLPDP) Professor Transform Aqorau Professor Transform Aqorau is Vice-Chancellor, Solomon Islands National University (SINU). He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow with the University of the South Pacific, and a former Legal Advisor to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Legal Adviser and Deputy Secretary in the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Elizabeth Kopel Dr Elizabeth Kopel is a Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader of the Informal Economy Research Program and the PNG National Research Institute (NRI). She co-shares leadership of the Gender Research Program. Dr Michael Breen As above |
Module 4: Government and Public Relations 11-14 June 2024 Location: Buka Module 4 built on the previous themes of leadership and good governance and emphasised how both can be supported by making connections between multiple layers of governance and decision-making. Enhancing communication between all the stakeholders involved in governance is critical to overcoming challenges, promoting participation and providing transparency and accountability. | 1. Understanding approaches for government and public relations. 2. Develop communication frameworks and dialogue skills for intra-governmental cooperation. 3. Improve responses to key priority issues, e.g. law and order. 4. Enhance communication with civil society and consult the community, e.g. share information and consult for policy-making. 5. Improve communication with the media and the use of social media. | Dr Tania Miletic and Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey (BSLPDP) Prof Transform Aqorau As above Gina Kekea Gina Kekea is an independent journalist and media trainer with significant experience in public relations and communication. Dr Anouk Ride Dr Anouk Ride, ANU and research associate at SINU and the Initiative for Peacebuilding, |
Workshop 2: Dialogue and Negotiation 10–12 July 2024 Location: Buka Workshop 2 focused on dialogue and negotiation with an emphasis on experience-based learning. Focus was on examples of Pacific and Melanesian dialogue processes and the influence they had on international and Pacific negotiations, and identifying the challenges and opportunities for applying a customary Melanesian dialogue lens (including notions of hospitality, conviviality and relationality) to negotiations in different settings. | 1. Enhance understanding of research and practice advice on interpersonal dynamics in dialogue and conflict resolution. 2. Apply research findings from contemporary theories, approaches and practice models to advance knowledge and skills; and critically engage with challenges to practice. 3. Enhance opportunities for applying tools and approaches to develop better understanding between one another. | Paulo Baleinakorodawa Paulo Baleinakorodawa is a Co-Founder and Director of Programs at Transcend Oceania, a JustPeace and development regional non-governmental organisation based in Fiji in the South Pacific. Dr Emma Leslie As above Dr Tania Miletic (BSLPDP) |
Module 5: Financial Planning and Management 20-22 August 2024 Location: Buka Strengthening the ABG's financial management capacities was a focus of this module. Developing understanding of the budget cycle and policy priorities were discussed. Enhancing understanding of appropriate institutions and processes for external oversight and scrutiny was a focus. | 1, Enhance understanding of the importance of effective public financial planning and management, including alignment with policy objectives. 2. Develop models across the budget cycle and utilise tools for effective budget formulation and reporting systems. 3. Deepen understanding of accountability and transparency in public funds management and enhance processes for transparent budget execution. | Dr Francis Odhuno Dr Francis Odhuno is a Senior Research Fellow and the Program Leader of the Economic Policy Research Program (EPRP) at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (NRI). Alex Gusmao Alex Gusmao is a former Deputy Commissioner of the Timor-Leste Anti-Corruption Commission (2019–2023), an independent state institution. Dr Tania Miletic and Laura Raicu (BSLPDP) |
Module 6: Economic Development 11-22 November 2024 Location: Melbourne 13-17 Nov (Cohort 1) 16-22 Nov (Cohort 2) The focus of Module 6 is on economic development, centering Indigenous entrepreneurship and business leadership in green and blue economies. This Module is hosted at the University of Melbourne and will include relevant site visits and case studies for practical learning experiences. | 1. Indigenous Business Leadership 2. Sustainable and conflict sensitive economic development 3. Blue and Green economies 4. Access to global markets and participation in international trade 5. Private-Public Partnerships 6. Social economic planning | Prof Michelle Evans Dr Michelle Evans holds an Associate Professorship in Leadership at the Faculty of Business and Economics at UoM, specialising in the areas of Indigenous leadership and entrepreneurship. Graham Poon Graham Poon has specific business expertise in tourism across Northern Australia and overseas, finance, retail and management consulting to SME businesses and government organisations. Dr Jeffrey Noro Dr Jeffrey Noro is a Bougainvillean professional with a diverse background spanning policy development, community-based conservation, and scientific research. Prof John Langmore Professor John Langmore is a Professorial Fellow at The University of Melbourne. Dr Tania Miletic, Laura Raicu, Serge Loode, Dave Kozar and Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey (BSLPDP) Victorian Government Department of Treasury and Finance The Victorian Government will provide expertise on Private Public Partnerships. |
For more information, please contact Dr Tania Miletic at tmiletic@unimelb.edu.au