Chairperson of the Public Service Commission attends meeting of the
Advisory Panel of the Pacific Leadership Program

Mrs. Mishka Tu'ifua, Chairperson of the Tonga Public Service Commission attended the first meeting of the Advisory Panel of the Pacific Leadership Program on Monday 23 June, 2008 that was held in Brisbane, Australia.

The Pacific Leadership Program is funded by the Australian Government through AusAID and is intended to contribute to improving leadership and good governance and to producing and increasing leaders committed to the principles of good governance in the Pacific region. According to the Australian Government, the Pacific Leadership Program will be driven and guided by Pacific Island leaders in identifying, promoting and supporting Pacific models of good leadership and good governance.  As such, the Advisory Panel has a critical role in providing strategic direction and guidance for the development and implementation of the Pacific Leadership Program.

The members of the Advisory Panel were drawn from key public officials in the region, from countries such as Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Timor Leste and representatives from Civil Society, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.  The panel will meet regularly during the course of the Pacific Leadership Program.  The pacific countries that will initially take part in the first two years of the Program include Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and East Timor before the program will be extended to other countries.

The rare opportunity for Mrs Tu’ifua to be a member of the Advisory Panel is welcomed by the Public Service Commission and is most crucial to her role in the Public Service and the strive towards good governance in Tonga.  Her participation will ensure that there is input from Tonga in designing the Pacific Leadership Program and to provide an opportunity for current and emerging leaders in Tonga to participate in the program and promote good governance in the public sector.

Office of the Public Service Commission

Nuku’alofa 24 June, 2008