PNG FOREIGN SERVICE TRAINING UNDERWAY IN NEW ZEALAND

PNG has sent off its largest contingent of Government officers for Foreign Service Training in New Zealand.

The 32 officers are from the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Immigration and Citizenship and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The group will be in Wellington for the 3-week training.

The training is the first of its kind, organized between the two countries.

The foreign service training is a requirement for the Department of Foreign Affairs and is normally held in the country to train officers with foreign service skills.

However, this time, Department of Foreign Affairs with the assistance from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade intends to modernize the Department through building PNG Foreign Service capacity and performance hence this training in NZ.

An integral component of this training in NZ is to build staff skills in key areas of communication, negotiations and Trade, a tradecraft that is often required of diplomats.

The FSTP is a 20 weeks program spread over 9 months, and that 32 officials are the first batch to undergo training in New Zealand. Apart from building the capacity of the Foreign Service Officers it also enhances the relationship between this two countries.

Out of the group, 14 are females.

PNG Foreign Service Training Program Manager Mr Bill Olmi has thank both PNG and New Zealand governments on behalf of the trainees for the funding assistance and their support in getting this first training off the ground.

The program manager before departing said, its a great opportunity for the young and up coming foreign service officers as they will receive an in-depth and advanced training from experts in New Zealand.

Wife of Prime Minister Linda Babao and DFAT Secretary Bill Dhim who were at the airport were proud of the large number of females taking part in the Foreign Service training overseas.