The 2024 PNG Update was held at the University of PNG in Port Moresby from 21-22 August 2024.

The theme was Securing a stable environment for growth and development.

You can now download the full program including abstracts (40 pages, 3MB)

You can also watch the PNG Update keynote speakers and panels via the UPNG Facebook page.

*Recorded sessions are marked below with an asterisk.

Presentation slides for selected sessions are available below.

Email enquiries to devpolicy@anu.edu.au.

Day one – Wednesday 21 August

Welcome remarks and opening plenary*

9.00-10.30am
Chair: Dr Ponnusamy Manohar

Welcome remarks
Robert Igara, Chancellor, University of Papua New Guinea

Opening address
The Honourable Mr James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Reflections on Australia-PNG relations
His excellency Mr John Feakes, Australian High Commissioner to PNG

Reflections on UPNG-ANU Relationship
Dr Cecilia Nembou, Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Papua New Guinea

Reflections on UPNG-ANU Relationship
Professor Paul Burke, Deputy Director, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

Plenary session*

11.00am- 12.30pm
New Lecture Theatre (NLT)
Chair: Professor Stephen Howes

Panel: PNG's economic outlook in the medium term

Mr Andrew Oaeke, Secretary, Department of Treasury;

Mr Jeffrey Yabom, Deputy Governor, Bank of Papua New Guinea;
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Mr Sohrab Rafiq, Resident Representative, International Monetary Fund;
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Dr Martin Davies, Professor, Washington and Lee University / ANU
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Parallel Session 1

1.30-3.00pm

1A: Family and sexual violence in PNG: learning from the experiences of 7,000 survivors*

New Lecture Theatre (NLT)
Chair: Professor Stephen Howes

Estelle Stambolie, Research Officer, Development Policy Centre, ANU, Daisy Plana, CEO, Femili PNG, Dr Judy Putt, Senior Researcher, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU, Minetta Kakarere, Tutor, Political Science Department, UPNG, Delwyn Dau, in-house lawyer, Femili PNG, Elizabeth Kave, Office of the Public Prosecutor
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1B: Banking and finance

SBPP Lecture Theatre 1 (UG.02)
Chair: Mr Panditha Bandara

The implementation of small and medium-sized enterprises credit enhancement loan scheme: a case of Bank South Pacific, PNG
Theo Michael, Lecturer, PNG University of Technology
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Tangled webs, elusive justice: low money laundering convictions in PNG Michael Kabuni, PhD student, ANU

Corporate governance and ethics on the PNG banking industry: challenges and opportunities
Suresh Babu Nagarajan, PGS Convener, Senior Lecturer, SBPP, UPNG, Professor Lekshmi Narayana Pillai Chidambara Thanu, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, UPNG, Patricia Angopa, Head of Banking and Finance Division, Lecturer, SBPP, UPNG, Kingtau Mambon, Tutor, SBPP, UPNG, Kepi Mato Yogomin, Tutor, SBPP, UPNG
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1C: Teachers and the education sector

SBPP Lecture Theatre 2 (LG.07)
Chair: Mr David Mo

Teacher regulation for quality and quantity - Can it be done? - PNG’s pathway to teacher registration reform Paul Ainui, Acting Deputy Secretary, Curriculum and Standards, PNG National Department of Education, Samson Wangihomie, Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Catherine Johnston, Lead Education Specialist, Abt Global, Grant Selmes, Governance Advisor, Abt Global

How real-time evaluation can improve training practices and learning outcomes: experimental data from PNG
Kabira Namit, Economist, Abt Global, Kathryn Lee, M&E Manager, Abt Global
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Addressing social injustice and inequity through Critical Literacy Education: PNG teacher education and critical literacy
Kele Yako, PhD Scholar, Rhonda Faragher, Professor, University of Queensland
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Navigating education evaluations in fragile settings: measuring the impact and sustainability of an in-service teacher development program in PNG
Kabira Namit, Economist, Abt Global, Kathryn Lee, M&E Manager, Abt Global
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1D: Urban and rural development

SBPP Tutorial Room 1 (LG.02)
Chair: Dr Ponnusamy Manohar

Safeguarding Port Moresby: evaluating the Tourist Police Initiative’s impact on safety and confidence in PNG’s capital
Dr Joyce Rayel, Head of Division and Imelda Atu, Lecturer and Ronald Raka, Lecturer and Jason Eki Kundi, Lecturer and Joseph Kruman, Tutor, Tourism & Hospitality Management Division, SBPP, UPNG

Hybridity and safety in an urban economic environment: experiences of Awagasi Market vendors
Wilma Langa, PhD Candidate, Queensland University of Technology
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A credit guarantee facility for the development of customary land in PNG: prospects and challenges
Logea Nao, Research Fellow, Sustainable Land Development Program, PNG National Research Institute
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1E: Development issues

SBPP Tutorial Room 3 (LG.04)
Chair: Dr Elly Kinkin

Extent of decentralised recruitment in unlocking Papua New Guinea’s labour mobility aspirations
Natasha Turia, PhD Candidate, ANU
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Student attitudes towards national identity and progress
Kelly Samof, Lecturer, UPNG
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1F: Agriculture and forestry

MBA Suite
Chair: Professor Simon Saulei

The roles of organic matter of varying nutrient content use as amendment in composted mounds on sweet potato tissue accumulation of micronutrients
Topas Peter, MSc. Student, PNG University Of Technology, Patrick Michael, Professor Associate, PNG University of Technology
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Social and cultural influences on the Bulolo Wau Industrial Tree Plantation Development in PNG: evidence from the three indigenous forest village communities
June Mandawali, Research Officer, PNG Forest Research Institute, Master of Philosophy Candidate, PNG University of Technology, Principal Supervisor, Dr Cossey Yosi, Head of School of Forestry, PNG University of Technology

Demarcation of suitable land for rice and wheat cultivation using Multi-Criteria Decision making Approach (MCDA): A case study in Southern Highlands Province
Einstein Den, Post Graduate Candidate, PNG University of Technology, Sailesh Samanta, Associate Professor, PNG University of Technology
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Parallel Session 2

3.30-5.00pm

2A: Politics and governance*

New Lecture Theatre (NLT)
Chair: Mr Jack Assa

Reform needed to bring stability in PNG parliament
Michael Kabuni, PhD student, ANU

Are government ministers more likely to be re-elected? Evidence from PNG
Alyssa Leng, Research Officer, Development Policy Centre, ANU
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2B: The Pacific Engagement Visa in Papua New Guinea: attitudes and issues

SBPP Lecture Theatre 1 (UG.02)
Chair: Professor Stephen Howes

Natasha Turia, PhD candidate, DPA, ANU, Dr Chakriya Bowman, Director and Senior Consultant, Sapience
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2C: Climate change and sustainability

SBPP Lecture Theatre 2 (UG.07)
Chair: Professor Chalapan Kaluwin

A climate SMART approach towards building resilience in PNG’s rural farming communities
Mawe Gonapa, PhD Candidate, ANU
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Resettlement of Patnav clan families in Yaga Village on Umboi Island, Siassi, Morobe Province, PNG
Lorna Saguba, Researcher, Mana Pacific Consultants Ltd
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An investigation of sustainability reporting
Panditha Bandara, Senior Lecturer, SBPP, UPNG
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PNG climate change and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): its regulation, the implementation and the importance of Article 4 of the Climate Change Paris Agreement for PNG
Alfred Rungol, PNG’s UNFCCC Roster of Experts, UNFCCC PNG (Independent)

2D: Sorcery and Gender

SBPP Tutorial Room 1 (LG.02)
Chair: Professor Sam Kaipu

Investigating the effects of sorcery related behaviour on student learning in primary schools, Central Province, PNG
Ano Airoma, Lecturer, Sacred Heart Teachers College, Bomana
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Addressing sorcery related violence and tribal fight through peace building
Dr Dick Witne Bomai, University of Goroka
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Framing gender equality through the revitalised Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration
Fiona Hukula, Policy Adviser - Gender Equality, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

2E: Education

SBPP Tutorial Room 3 (LG.04)
Chair: Professor Boe Lahui

Assessing quality of basic education in Enga Province, PNG: factors impacting students’ learning experience
Hafford Norea, Research Officer, PNG National Research Institute
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A two-level hierarchical linear modeling of factors affecting students’ examination performance in secondary schools in Papua New Guinea Michael Magury Peter, Research Fellow, PNG National Research Institute
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Effective student learning approaches and its relationship with academic performance at the School of Business and Public Policy, University of PNG
David Mo, Lecturer, Imelda Atu, Lecturer, Patricia Angopa, Lecturer, Sharon Niaga, Lecturer, Molly Yoko, Postgraduate Student, UPNG
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2F: Media, technology and research and development

MBA Suite
Chair: Ms Patricia Angopa

Enabling or hindering growth and development: Mobile internet pricing in PNG
Dr Amanda HA Watson, Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU, Moses Sakai, Research Fellow, PNG National Research Institute, Loretta Dilu, Tutor, UPNG, Hafford Norea, Research Officer, PNG National Research Institute, Jonathan Zureo, Lecturer, Divine Word University
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A media environment for growth and development
Dr Amanda HA Watson, Fellow, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
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Baseline survey of research capacity in Papua New Guinea’s research institutions and universities
Paula Kaupa, PhD Candidate, PNG University of Technology, Kulala Mulung, CEO, PNG Science & Technology Secretariat, Teatulohi Matainaho, Vice Chancellor, Pacific Adventist University, Nick Tagep, Research Infrastructure Director and George Rua, Research Officer, PNG Science and Technology Secretariat
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Reimagining higher education in the age of generative AI
Raymond Kamb John, Lecturer and Head of HRM Division, UPNG
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Day two – Thursday 22 August

Plenary session*

9.00-10.30am
Chair: Associate Professor Michael Mel

Plenary address
The Honourable Allan Bird, East Sepik Governor

Plenary session*

11.30am-12.30pm
Chair: Professor Prof Paul Burke, Deputy Director and Head of the Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, Crawford School of Public of Policy, Australian National University

Panel – Security and geopolitics in the region: implications for PNG
Ms Winnie Kiap CBE, former PNG High Commissioner to the UK; Dr Joanne Loundes, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to PNG; Mr Oliver Nobetau, FDC Pacific Fellow, Lowy Institute; Mr David Chen, Lecturer, PNG University of Technology

Parallel Session 3

1.30-3.00pm

3A: Novel carbon opportunities in climate smart coffee production*

New Lecture Theatre (NLT)
Chair: Ewelina Przybyszewski

Mawe Gonapa, PhD Candidate, ANU
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Alex McClean, Chief Executive Officer, Nakau
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Almah Tararia, Senior Research Consultant, Sustineo, Ellis Mackenzie, Senior Research Consultant, Sustineo
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3B: PNG’s economy

SBPP Lecture Theatre 2 (UG.02) em>
Chair: Dr Albert Prabhakar

How much of economic growth trickles down to the population in resource-rich countries? Evidence from Papua New Guinea
Sharad Tandon, Senior Economist, The World Bank, Paripoorna Baxi, Consultant, The World Bank, Darian Naidoo, Economist, The World Bank
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Determinants of housing prices in PNG - An ARDL approach
Gordon Kapak, Senior Research Analyst, Bank of PNG, Meson Tumsok, Senior Research Analyst, Bank of PNG
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Determinants of governments’ fiscal resource revenue: evidence from a new database
Martin Davies, Professor of Economics, Washington and Lee University/ANU, Marcel Schroder, PNG Country Economist, Asian Development Bank
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3C: Gender

SBPP Lecture Theatre 2 (UG.07)
Chair: Dr Joyce Rayel

Wok bung wantaim’ (working together): Women associations and foreign aid in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
Mary Fairio, PhD candidate, University of St. Andrews
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The impact of Women’s Leadership Programs on return home: A pilot study in PNG
Geejay Milli, PhD candidate, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU, Sonia Palmieri, Associate Professor, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU, Betty Lovai, Pro-Vice Chancellor, UPNG
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Leadership matters - Benchmarking women in business leadership in PNG and the Pacific
Sarah Boxall, Economic Empowerment of Women Specialist, Asian Development Bank - Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative

3D: Health

SBPP Tutorial Room 1 (LG.02)
Chair: Nakapi Tefuarani

Perceptions, acceptances, and attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccines: A case in point of PNG
Londari Yamarak, Lecturer, PNG University of Technology, Rex Junior, Master in Philosophy Student, Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Hoxchey Anton, Student, PNG University of Technology>

Implementation of tuberculosis infection prevention and control in rural PNG: an evaluation using infection prevention & control assessment framework
Dr. Gigil Marme, Lecturer (PhD Candidate), Divine Word University (Griffith University, Australia), Jerzy Kuzma, Professor of Surgery, HOD Medicine, Divine Word University, Dr Peta-Anne Zimmerman, Director, Infection Control program, Griffith University, Neil Harris, Professor, Director of Higher Degree, Health Griffith University, Shannon Rutherford, Associate Professor, Public Health Team, Griffith University
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Factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination: a Morobe Province perspective
Jack Assa, Lecturer, UPNG, Moses Sakai, Research Fellow, PNG National Research Institute, Albert Ayius, Lecturer, UPNG, Emmanuel Gorea, Lecturer, UPNG

3E: Infrastructure and development

SBPP Tutorial Room 3 (LG.04)
Chair: Shalon Taufa

Living without electricity in urban communities in PNG: the case of 8-Mile settlement
Loretta Dilu, Tutor, UPNG
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Overcoming Rural Electrification Challenges in PNG: A PMO Perspective
Sioni Sioni, Project Director, GHD
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Role of district WASH committees in building bridges for improving water access, quality, and equality
Safa Fanaian, Research Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, Grant Walton, Associate Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, Sonia Young, WASH Portfolio Manager, World Vision, Simon Wanga, WASH Program Officer and Technical Officer, WaterAid, Tim Davis, Technical Lead, WaterAid, Kolis Rua, WASH project manager, World Vision
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3F: Managing PNG’s institutions

MBA Suite
Chair: Dr Suresh Babu Nagarajan

The role of leadership in ensuring academic quality assurance: challenges and strategies in higher education institutions in PNG
Ponnusmay Mano-har, Deputy Executive Dean (Academic) School of Business and Public Policy, University of Papua New Guinea

Institutional sources of cooperation, competition and conflict in developing countries: the cases of civil service administration in PNG and Afghani-stan
Nematullah Bizhan, Senior Lecturer, Development Policy Centre, ANU, William Maley, Emeritus Professor, ANU

Parallel Session 4

3.30-5.00pm

4A: Helping women and child victims of abuse and violence*

New Lecture Theatre (NLT)
Chair: Dr Judy Putt

Subrata Banerjee, PhD student, ANU
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Palu Ingram, PhD student, ANU
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Loto Losenamo, Research officer, Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance

4B: Macroeconomics

SBPP Lecture Theatre 1 (UG.02)
Chair: Dr Toan Nguyen

New trade-weighted currency and commodity-price indices for PNG
Bobby Kunda, Lecturer in Economics, UPNG, Prof Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre, ANU
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Optimal macroeconomic policy and the resource project lifecycle
Dr Martin Davies, Professor of Economics, Washington and Lee University / ANU, Marcel Schroder, Country Economist for PNG, Asian Development Bank

Impact of excess liquidity on monetary policy transmission in Papua New Guinea
Dr Thomas Wangi, Senior Research Fellow, National Research Institute

4C: Land issues

SBPP Lecture Theatre 2 (UG.07)
Chair: Professor Leo Marai

Importance of geographical names and their effects on sustainable land development in PNG
Charlotte Tia, Cartographer, Department of Lands & Physical Planning
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Land as a palimpsest of inscriptions: Some preliminary thoughts on a study of a Motu-Koita-Koiari clan genealogy and their claims of land ownership
Linus Digim’Rina, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UPNG, Foxie Kaeaka, Chairman, Board of Directors, Behori Limited, Canute Nidue, Lecturer, School of Law, UPNG, David Kombako, Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, UPNG

Is social mapping a recipe for conflicts?
A conclusion Yvonne Hani, Anthropologist, UPNG
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4D: Gender-based violence

SBPP Tutorial Room 1 (LG.02)
Chair: Dr Dora Aiyus

Do disasters always increase Intimate Partner Violence? Evidence from the 2018 Earthquake in PNG
Sharad Tandon, Senior Economist, The World Bank, Alyssa Leng, Research Officer, Development Policy Centre, ANU
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The impacts of gender-based violence against women in Hula community
Aiga Ian, Temporary Full-time Tutor, UPNG
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Service Providers’ Role: Access to justice for women in domestic violence cases in PNG & Bangladesh
Subrata Banarjee, PhD Candidate, ANU
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4E: Security

SBPP Tutorial Room 3 (LG.04)
Chair: Dr Nematullah Bizhan

The role of the law and order komiti in dispute resolution: case of Markham Bridge Community, Morobe Province, PNG
Mary Fairio, PhD Candidate, University of St. Andrews
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Political economy of security: enhancing economic security through regional security cooperation
Dr Francis Hualupmomi, Advisor, National Security, PNG Department of Prime Minister & NEC
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The impacts of civil unrest and riots in Gerehu, Port Moresby on the economic conditions of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Jason Eki Kundi, Lecturer, School of Business and Public Policy, UPNG, McDonald Jack, Tutor, School of Business and Public Policy, UPNG, Dr Joyce Rayel, Senior Lecturer, School of Business & Public Policy, UPNG
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Closing Session*

Concluding remarks

Chair: Dr Ponnusamy Manohar

School of Business and Public Policy, University of Papua New Guinea; Development Policy Centre, Australian National University