PNG New Voices Conference Agenda

8.30am

Registration

9.00am

Welcome (and outline of conference proceedings by Lowy Institute)

9.15am - 9.30am

Scene-setting

Allan Bird, agribusiness expert, will ‘set the scene’ and talk on the importance of leadership and vision

9.30am - 10.50am

Chairpersons will briefly set the scene, introduce speakers and manage Q&A

Session 1: Transforming the national economy

Speakers will cover topics including the rise of Asia and the impact on PNG’s economy, access to financial services and mobile banking, PNG’s telecommunications revolution and community development.

Anthony Yauieb, Deputy Secretary Policy, Department of Treasury, Government of Papua New Guinea

Ruby Patu, Bank of South Pacific Rural Regional Sales Manager - New Guinea islands

Jennifer Baing, Co-Director, Save PNG

Chair: Gae Kauzi, Assistant Governor, Policy, Bank of Papua New Guinea

10.50am - 11.20am

Morning Tea

11.20am - 12.40 pm

Session 2: New Voices

Speakers will cover topics including the influence of civil society, cultural identity, PNG’s proactive ‘digital generation’, a changing media landscape and do we live in a man’s world?

Amanda Donigi, Editor of Stella Magazine

Lisa-Marie Tepu, Senior Leader, The Voice

Josephine Oberleuter, Executive Producer of the Tribe, National Broadcasting Corporation

Jeffry Feeger, Artist

Chair: Paul Barker, Director, Institute of National Affairs

12.40pm – 1.40pm

Lunch

1.40pm – 3.00pm

Special panel discussion: The Power of Social Media

A special ‘in conversation’ panel. Topics this panel will tackle will include new media vs. traditional media, PNG’s mobile phone explosion, digital democracy & holding organisations (government and non-government) accountable via the internet, blogging and citizen journalism, the role of social media, the value of eDiplomacy, crowdsourcing for new ideas, can mobile phone applications improve one’s quality of life and service delivery? Importantly, what’s next?

Emmanuel Narokobi, Managing Director of Masalai Communications and blogger

Tavurvur, political blogger at the Garamut

Effrey Dademo, Program Manager, Act Now!

Scott Waide,  EMTV Lae Bureau Chief and TV journalist/producer 

(We encourage participants to engage with and share their views over social media during this ‘in conversation’, for example, by live-tweeting #PNGNewVoices or providing updates to Facebook)

Chairs: Danielle Cave, Research Associate, Lowy Institute and Alexander Rheeney, PNG Perspective

3.00pm - 3.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm - 4.45pm

Session 3: PNG’s international choices and place in the Asian Century

Speakers will look at where PNG’s place in the world. Where does PNG fit? What does the Asian Century mean to the country? Who are our ideal international partners, now and into the future? Are we a regional leader? Can we become a creative middle power?

Douveri Henao, Executive Director of the Business Council Papua New Guinea and researcher at the PNG Institute of National Affairs

Samson Yabon, Assistant Director, Asia Branch, Political, Security and Treaties Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, PNG

Andrew Lepani, Sports Development Manager, Papua New Guinea Sports Federation and Olympic Committee

Chair: Robert Igara, Former Non-Executive Director, Oilsearch

4.45pm - 5.30pm

Conclusion: Recommendations for the future

This conclusion will be conducted ‘in conversation’ between Jenny Hayward-Jones, Myer Foundation Melanesia Program Director at the Lowy Institute and Allan Bird, Amanda Donigi and Emmanuel Narokobi.