Young Crystal gives our future its voice at APEC forum

Young Crystal gives our future its voice at APEC forum

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

So said Margaret Mead, the noted American author and speaker of the 1960s and 1970s. The comment still rings true today, which is what made the presence of a small group of thoughtful, committed young Papua New Guineans so integral to the APEC Voices of the Future 2017 forum, held in Da Nang, Vietnam last week.

APEC Voices of the Future is the key youth dialog platform that is held in conjunction with the APEC CEO Summit and APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

Trukai Industries Agronomist Crystal Artango was selected to a 6-strong PNG Delegation to speak at the forum along with five other young Papua New Guineans – Wilfred Atzier from Newcrest Mining, Charles Wama from Kina Securities, Engineering and Technical professionals Kenny Hampalekie and Noah Pingin and Roberta Morlin, founder and co-owner of KLM Consulting.

The theme to address in their speeches was “How to create new dynamism and foster a shared future amongst youth in the Asia Pacific Region.”

“Basically, we spoke about our economies and economic status. There were 4 sub-themes we had to prepare our speech upon, related to what our country delegation’s position was,” Ms. Artango explained.

The 27-year old Erap resident, originally from Lae, was nominated by Trukai Industries for the life-changing trip.

Crystal said “I was nominated by our CEO Mr. Greg Worthington-Eyre and my Agriculture Manager, Mr. Jarrod Pirie, and made it through that phase. I then had to do a write-up and illustrate what I hoped to achieve from the trip and my understanding of the theme. I was lost for words when I was selected by the ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) team in Singapore.

“I would really like to give a big word of thank you to Trukai Industries for this great opportunity granted.”

For her part, Ms. Artango spoke with Roberta Morlin about ‘Creating New Dynamism and Fostering a Shared Future for Youth in PNG and the Asia-Pacific Region.’

“Our start-up and innovation ecosystem is still in its infancy stage in PNG, and this is a key topic we addressed,” said Ms. Artango.

“The ability of our youth to learn and later lead in the technology space is essential. We need to educate our youth on global trends and the jobs of the future, then support them with greater start-up venture funding to put what they have learned into action.”

Ms. Artango also addressed the need to invest in Human Development to improve PNG’s Human Development Index Ranking to 50, from 148 amongst the United Nations member countries, improve PNG’s access to services and basic infrastructure and improve life expectancy within PNG from 57.9 to 77 years of age.

“From an Agronomist’s perspective, I believe the training and upskilling of our local farmers forms part of this overall goal, which Trukai’s multiple farming projects across the country align with.”

Photo : PNG’s APEC Voices of the Future 2017 representatives (from left) Wilfred Atzier, Noah Pingin, Crystal Artango, Robertha Morlin, Charles Wama and Kenny Hampalekie.