The relationship between PNG and Vanuatu has reached a new height following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PNG Constitutional and Law Reform Commission and the Vanuatu Law Reform Commission.
Signed by the heads of both institutions Dr. Eric Kwa and Mr. Lawson Jack Samuel in Port Moresby on Monday, the three years-long MOU was a basis for the preparation of formal contracts or agreements for a number of programs and activities which are aimed at expanding cooperation, and exchange of ideas of mutual interest.
PNG CLRC will provide annual in-house tailored training for two weeks to their counterparts in Vanuatu, ad hoc mentoring, and peer review of VLRC’s issues papers and final reports as well as for both institutions to seek out mutually beneficial research opportunities and co-authorship of publications.
Under the MOU, both institutions will also collaborate in convening conferences and outreach programs, and provide for job placements and staff exchanges for the purposes of education, research, and presentation of papers at seminars.
“I don’t like this talk where we are supposed to help Vanuatu Law Reform Commission, no it’s about helping each other, we gain from your interaction and you gain from us so it’s always a two-way thing,” Dr. Kwa said.
He said he was happy that the MOU was one of the tangible outcomes of the recent, successful Australasian Law Reform Agencies’ Conference in which Vanuatu was represented by Mr. Samuel.
While thanking CLRC for the partnership, Mr. Samuel acknowledged that the MOU reinforces PNG’s continued fatherly figure relationship with Vanuatu as Melanesians.
“This MOU just emphasizes that you (PNG) are a leader and we look forward to working with PNG CLRC into the future,” he said.
He added that their visit to PNG was also a learning experience and he spoke highly of the unique composition of PNG CLRC board where there is bipartisan parliamentary representation.
Mr. Samuel said that he intends to recommend this arrangement for his office back home because it would ensure the existence of political will as is the case for PNG CLRC.
Source: CLRC Press Release
