2024 Bel isi PNG Leadership Forum

Dr Joanne Loundes, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission to PNG. Dr Loundes provided the keynote address at the 4th Leadership Forum.

Bel isi PNG proudly organised the 4th Leadership Forum at the Hilton Hotel since inception at the Hilton Hotel.

In attendance were the Governor for NCD, Hon. Powes Parkop, NCD City Manager, Ravu Frank, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission to PNG, Dr. Joanne Loundes and the European Union Ambassador, H.E Jacques Farindi and Bel isi PNG Board members.

The welcome address was delivered by the Bel isi PNG Board Chair, Rupert Bray, followed by keynote address by Dr Loundes. During her address, Dr Loundes noted the continued support by the Australian Government to Bel isi PNG in addressing family and sexual violence (FSV).

A panel discussion addressing the theme of the evening, “Creating Safe Spaces through Building Partnership: 5 years and beyond” followed.

The panel included Dr Loundes (Australian High Commission), Rupert Bray (Steamships), Vavine Mulina (TotalEnergies) and Simon Barnes (DT Global). Moderating the discussion was Ayesha Lutschini, Team Leader for the PNG Women Lead program.

The discussion centred around what safe spaced meant to the panelists and how their organizations have created safe spaces for their staff to disclose experiences of family & sexual violence (FSV) at the workplace.

One of the challenges noted during the panel discussion was staff having confidence and trust in internal referral system when experiencing FSV. However, during the discussions, it was noted that the education sessions have improved staff ability to come forward and disclose FSV incidences and seek support.

During this event, two of the implementing partners were also celebrated as they achieve 10 year anniversaries this year. These are Femili PNG and Business Coalition for Women (BCFW). A slide show demonstrated the work that two organizations have done in addressing FSV.

Bel isi PNG partners thank Femili PNG and BCFW for the continued partnership.

The evening was closed off by Governor Parkop, commending the private sector’s leadership in addressing FSV at the workplace, noting similar support in the public sector and how learnings can be shared to improve FSV response for employees in the public sector as well.

Bel isi PNG would like to thank all the partners for their support in organizing the event and the participants that attended the Leadership Forum.