Honourable Powes Parkop, governor of National Capital District, academics from the Australian National University,Woloongong University, participants from the UNWomen, Suva,Fiji, Electoral Commissioner and colleagues from Vanuatu, government officials, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman, good morning and welcome to Papua New Guinea.
You know, standing here looking down at all your wise and learned faces, I feel like a novice opening batsman going out to face the might of lilie and thompson in their heyday.i must admit it is quite daunting. but today I am very happy to see you all here because today we begin a journey that will shape the political landscape of Papua New Guinea. therefore, I ask of you to be forthright, candid and sincere in your discussions. there are no rights and wrongs in this workshop – but there are suggestions to help us focus our minds in charting out the parameters for political leadership and good governance in Papua New Guinea and the region as a whole.
I am not going to pretend that we have answers to resolve our political woes in this country. what is needed is quality leadership that is honest, transparent and accountable to the people of this nation. political events in this country over the last few decades have shown otherwise, hence forcing people to cryout foul to the leadership, and demeaning the office of the highest political post in this nation. i ask you, my fellow countrymen and women:
where do we go from here? and how do we correct the situation? do we legislate to control political behaviour and activity? just exactly what is the answer after provisions of olippac were declared unconstitutional by the supreme court?
We have gathered here, men and women of enormous talent, magnitude, depth of knowledge and wisdom to enlighten, share and debate ideas of how to move olippac forward in the 21st century. as Registrar, I now challenge this forum of eminent persons, help us to help this nation find a lasting solution that could stand the test of time irrespective of which government is in power, olippac must remain a rock, navigating the political landscape of Papua New Guinea.
I wish you all a constructive discussion and healthy debate on issues of significant importance to Papua New Guinea. the outcome of this workshop, the Gaire Accord, will serve as a template to the Kokopo Communique in July of this year.
In conclusion,let me take this opportunity to thank the Australian
government, the Australian national university and the center for democratic institutions (CDI), for their equitable participation in funding and providing highly qualified technical people to assist in the preparation of this workshop in particular, i would like to sincerely thank mr Grant Harrison from the centre for Democratic Institutions,Canberra and Dr. David Anere of IPPCC for their untiring support and efforts in navigating this entire workshop preparations and moving onto the Kokopo conference. without these two men our efforts would have been fruitless. let us give them an applause.
I now invite, his excellency, the Governor of NCD, Hon. Powes Parkop to open the workshop. ladies let us welcome governor Parkop. good morning and have a blessed day.
Sir Kina Bona KBE
Registrar
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