Country Programs - Tonga

PLP began developing relationships with leading organisations in Tonga’s private sector, church, civil society and youth sector in late 2009. Partnerships are now in place with the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT), and Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC), and discussions are progressing with the Church Forum of Tonga.

All of PLP’s Tonga partners are influential in their various sectors and are active, affiliated members of their regional sector organisation, with whom PLP also works. In addition to the work with our partner organisations outlined below, PLP is also working with the University of the South Pacific’s Institute of Education (USP-IOE) on a five year program to support school leadership in non-government secondary schools in Tonga. The design process for this initiative is currently underway, with consultations being held with Secondary School principals, School Boards and the Ministry of Education. Implementation of this initiative is scheduled to commence in 2011.

Tonga is also the first of PLP’s focus countries to establish a National Leadership Development Forum (NLDF). We expect that in coming years the NLDF will develop Tonga’s own agenda for national leadership development, which in turn will inform PLP’s programming efforts in Tonga.

Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) 

The Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) is the national umbrella body for 70 civil society organisations across the six islands in Tonga. It was established in 2000 to provide a common voice of civil society, and plays a representative role for its members at national and international level. CSFT is an affiliate of the Pacific Islands Association of Non Government Organisations (PIANGO).

When PLP began its engagement in Tonga, it was clear that CSFT plays a leadership role in representing the civil society in Tonga. The Government of Tonga, development partners and stakeholders also acknowledge CSFT as a peak body. PLP recognises that the relationship with CSFT will enable the program to understand more about the work and leadership challenges of the civil society sector in Tonga, and the broader leadership challenges which are facing the nation.

In recent months, PLP has been working closely with CSFT as a ‘challenging friend’, supporting the organisation through a review of their strategic plan and specific area/s of focus as a leading organisation in their sector. CSFT has a major role in shaping civil society in Tonga and PLP appreciates being part of the process to support CSFT to be more effective in their role.
 

Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)

 
The Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) is the national private sector organisation for Tonga. As such, they are the Tongan member of the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), which is a regional partner of PLP. When PLP began the development of its Tonga program, the TCCI, as PIPSO’s Tongan member, was a first point of contact for PLP in Tonga.

The TCCI has been in existence since 1976, and was incorporated in 1996. It consists of over 100 of the larger businesses and is governed by a council of 14 members. At the time PLP contacted TCCI, they had been supported for the previous two years by AusAID Tonga. This support had allowed TCCI to hire a full-time executive officer and provide office support. The consensus was that this financial support had allowed TCCI to substantially develop its capacity to deliver to its members.

The PLP has a strong emphasis on developing the leadership capacity of the private sector. TCCI is the logical partner for PLP to engage with in Tonga in this area. It is envisaged that the partnership will and opportunities in the region’s private sector as a result of this relationship. PLP first held discussion with the TCCI PIPSO representative at the PIPSO AGM in Nadi in June 2009. The PLP officers then met the executive of TCCI in Tonga in August 2009. PLP also held discussions with AusAID Tonga which had been supporting TCCI for the last 2 years. Due to changes in its development program with the Government of Tonga, AusAID Tonga can no longer support TCCI. However, AusAID Tonga recognises that TCCI is playing an important role in Tonga and should continue to receive Australian Government support.

The Partnership Agreement between TCCI and PLP was signed in December 2009. PLP’s relationship with TCCI supports TCCI to continue to develop and expand its programs and services, and its own leadership capacity, while PLP diversifies its understanding of leadership issues in the private sector through working with TCCI.

Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC)

The Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC) has been in existence since 1991. The initiative to create an independent youth body was taken by Communities, Church Leaders and Government. It is now the umbrella body for the six island Congresses which make up the TNYC, and other Tongan youth organisations. It is based on a strong spirit of volunteerism, and has been built through the work of volunteers. Three of the island congresses and the national office all carry out income generation work. The entire organisation also receives project funding from a wide range of donors. The six island Congresses are all independent organisations, with their own governance arrangements and financial management. They come together under the banner of TNYC, and the management of the central TNYC office.

PLP has a strong emphasis on developing youth leadership across the Pacific. A partnership with the Pacific Youth Council (PYC) has been in place since 2008, and TNYC is a member of the PYC. TNYC is also recognised across the region as a model for youth leadership organisations. When PLP began its Tonga program, the TNYC was an obvious starting point. One of the selection criteria for PLP partners is that they be representatives of established members, and are acknowledged by those members as a peak body. TNYC meets all these criteria, and also offers PLP great opportunities for learning about effective youth work, which can be shared across the region.

In early discussions in August 2009, it was clear that there was potential for PLP and TNYC to mutually benefit from developing a partnership. TNYC’s vision and objectives for their work clearly aligned with PLP’s objectives. After a number of meetings, partnership exploration began in February 2010. These discussions were based on developing mutual understanding, and establishing a relationship based on respect and trust. The Partnership Agreement between TNYC and PLP was signed in May 2010.

There is particular scope for PLP to provide core funding to support TNYC’s own objectives. TNYC has never received core funding in its history. However, both TNYC and PLP recognised that core funding has the potential to disrupt the spirit of volunteerism which is so central to TNYC. Both TNYC and PLP will endeavour to address this risk throughout the relationship. TNYC believes that it needs to develop more continuity and accountability in the organisation, to balance all of the benefits of volunteerism.