As a girl from a village in Kompri, near Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, I spent 25 years in Lae working for other people until I followed my dreams and passion to work on improving our PNG people, businesses and industry. That was the inception of Tok Stret Consulting, just on two years ago.
It began with a message: “This is your time to unleash your own story within the Papua New Guinean story, a nation that has gone from the Stone Age to the Digital Age within a generation. The growth is remarkable, and with it the opportunities are endless.”
Next week, more than 20 Papua New Guinea and Australian current and emerging leaders will come together in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the 2019 Pacific Connect Business Network Dialogue on ‘Innovative and disruptive technology in PNG agriculture’.
We, the participants of the Pacific Connect Network Dialogue, met in Port Vila, Vanuatu on Monday, 11 March and Tuesday, 12 March 2019 at the invitation of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP). The Dialogue was co-facilitated by Dr Ian Watt AC, Professor Ian Young AO, Mr Taholo Kami and Mr Fred Samuel and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Pacific Connect is calling for expressions of interest from people with leadership skills, a positive, ‘big picture’ outlook, and a record of achievement in their chosen field to participate in the Pacific Connect Dialogue in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 30 April-1 May 2019.
During ICDP’s recent visit to Fiji, Dr Ian Watt, Simone Pensko and Tina Briggs were fortunate to attend a reception at the High Comm residence where the youth leaders of the current political parties were in attendance.
I recently attended my first Pacific Connect Dialogue with the wonderful members of ICDP and GAP. We had an interesting dialogue on women in business and digital delivery in the Pacific Islands. The discussions focused on challenges faced by business women using IT in their daily lives, be it for work, education or pleasure, and what that means for their businesses, children and families as well as society.
The dialogue gave me clarity on my views for the future of what women in business could achieve to contribute in our own countries and within our local communities. I believe if all like-minded women were given this opportunity, it would pave the way for future leaders being empowered by a great support network.
A warm and welcoming hug by the distinguished Special Advisor for ICDP, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu from Samoa, set the tone for the Pacific Connect dialogue that took place in Brisbane recently.
