The Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), following its establishment by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in 2005 to ensure effective private sector representation in regional policy making processes and relevant business development activities, is continuing its programme of consultations with member National Private Sector Organisations (NPSO) with a visit this week to Vanuatu.

The visits aim to inform NPSO members and other national stakeholders, including Government, of PIPSO’s objectives and 2009 Work Programme. The consultations are also intended to provide opportunities for the private sector to share views on specific needs and priorities that PIPSO should assist them with. Opportunities will also be identified to further strengthen public-private policy dialogue as a means to improve the business environment in the region.

The Acting Chair of PIPSO, Mr. Hafiz Khan, affirmed that the visits will remain a priority for the organization. He also acknowledged the generous assistance from AusAID's Pacific Leadership Programme (PLP) which has supported the visits.

"We are grateful for PLP's assistance that has enabled us to visit our members in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Nauru. Following Vanuatu, we will cover Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa. The programme will be completed by the end of the next quarter".

Mr Khan adds that through PLP, PIPSO will also continue to engage the services of Mr. Kaliopate Tavola, an independent consultant and distinguished former Foreign Minister of Fiji to assist and advise PIPSO on public-private dialogue issues.

Mr Tavola is being accompanied by PIPSO Executive Officer, Mr. Henry Sanday, in Vanuatu where consultations will be held with stakeholders in Port Vila as well as in Santo.

ACoM ICP signed new partnership agreement with AusAID

MELANESIAN MESSENGER 090227-1 February 27, 2009

[Melanesian Messenger - Melanesia] Work of the Inclusive Communities Programme, an agency within the Anglican Church of Melanesia in leadership and governance in Solomon Islands is further boosted following the signing of a new partnership agreement with AusAID’s Pacific Leadership Programme yesterday in Honiara.

The signing of the Agreement marks the beginning of a new working relationship which ACoM ICP and PLP hope to share and develop over the period of the agreement.

ACoM ICP Manager Ms Ollie Pokana said the purpose of this relationship, in the long term is to contribute to improved leadership and governance in Solomon Islands with an emphasis on increasing leadership opportunities for youth and women, and closing the gap between traditional and modern leadership practices.

She described the Agreement as an important step forward to strengthening the work of ACoM ICP in terms of finance, up skilling and increased networking to support effective delivery of the programme.

Angus MacDonald, Regional Program Director based in Suva, Fiji, at the signing ceremony yesterday said, AusAID is happy to assist and support ACoM ICP in contributing to good governance and improved leadership practices in Solomon Islands.

He said the partnership will not only benefit ACom ICP in terms of financial and technical support but will certainly help the Programme build a reputation that fosters success and adds value to the relationship.

The partnership is a continuation of a working relationship between ACoM ICP and AusAID bilateral programme established under the NGO Corporation Agreement since 2004 but is now, under a new initiative aligned with the National Partnership for Development.

Both parties under the terms of the Agreement will continue to undertake quarterly reviews of the partnership arrangements with a view to explore into possibility of enhancing support and cooperation in the future.

ACoM ICP was originally set up in 2004 under an AusAID funded program by the Anglican Church of Melanesia, and two Australian partners: AngliCORD and Anglican Board of Mission with an objective to strengthen good governance by including women and young people in participatory decision making and Community conflict resolution.

The signing ceremony yesterday was made in the presence of ACoM ICP staff members as well as the Pacific Leadership Program Officer Ms Georgina Cope.

Australian of the Year - Prof Mick Dodson, AM

PLP Advisory Panel member, Professor Mick Dodson AM, has just been named Australian of the Year 2009. Mick was recognised by Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd in the recent Australia Day Honours for being " a courageous fighter for reconciliation and for closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians”. Congratulations Mick from the PLP Team!

Members Login:

Title