By Charlie Dumavi
A change in character in Papua New Guinea can trigger a change in the region. This was stated by Australian leadership coach and businessman Bobby Atkins while speaking at the recently concluded third annual Legacy Leadership Symposium in Port Moresby.
The message was shared with attendees at APEC Haus as the country counts down to celebrate its 51st Independence Anniversary.
Atkins said Papua New Guinea has the resources and needs local leaders in all walks of life to stand up and lead in their respective capacities.
“You (Papua New Guinea) are one of the most phenomenal countries. You have the resources, you have some of the really incredible people,” Atkins said.
“We hear these stories of fisheries and resources and all these things. The opportunity to grow in agriculture is huge, but it requires the people of Papua New Guinea to stand up and lead with character, competency and connections.”
He said there are many bosses in the country who are failing the teams they lead, and that is affecting the country. When this is addressed, PNG can become a much better regional leader.
Moreover, a leadership symposium speaker, Vineta Tulutu, a Samoan born in New Zealand who is now residing in Australia, said it is important to build leadership on a country’s cultural values.
“As an Oceanian, you have the responsibility to shine your island to the world,” Tulutu said.
“Know your identity and build leadership on Pacific values. Build from your cultural values; that is the heartbeat.”
She said it is important to honour the true identity of a nation and build on it to serve the people better, rather than taking advantage of the people.
The symposium brought together delegates from across the Pacific and the world to inspire and shape the narrative for Pacific Islanders to lead beyond the region.
