PNG Woman Recognised in Commonwealth Youth Awards for Leadership Impact

Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work recipient Phillie Julai Marai poses with her 2026 award at the Tribal Foundation office in Port Moresby on Monday. Picture supplied by PNG Tribal Foundation Media

A young PNG leader from East New Britain has earned international recognition after being named the Pacific regional runner-up in the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards, placing her among the world's outstanding young changemakers.

Phillie Julai Marai, 30, of Toburutue Village in Bitapaka Local Level Government, received her award in Port Moresby this week after the honour was sent from London, United Kingdom. The recognition arrived unexpectedly in a DHL package as she prepared to begin her working day.

The Commonwealth Youth Awards celebrate young people making positive contributions towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in communities across the Commonwealth.

Mrs Marai was selected among the top 20 finalists from 977 nominations submitted worldwide. The finalists represented sectors including social entrepreneurship, journalism, environmental advocacy, innovation, writing and human rights.

The Pacific regional title was awarded to fellow Papua New Guinean Aileen Zuhukepe, who was recognised for establishing Project Impact, a voluntary breast ultrasound screening initiative supporting women in rural Morobe Province.

Mrs Marai was recognised for her leadership of the Senisim PNG Program under the PNG Tribal Foundation, where she has served as National Coordinator since 2023 under the guidance of Chief Executive Officer Gary Bustin.

The Senisim PNG Program began in 2022 through a partnership with the John Maxwell Foundation and promotes values-based leadership across Papua New Guinea.

Under her coordination, more than 10,000 participants have completed transformation tables and facilitator training, with the program expanding into universities, colleges, churches, workplaces, communities, homes and among Papua New Guineans employed in Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme.

Her responsibilities include recruiting and training facilitators, managing teams, monitoring program delivery, maintaining partnerships and ensuring issues are addressed promptly while continuing to conduct leadership training herself.

Mrs Marai graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in PNG Studies and International Relations before joining PNG Tribal Foundation later that year.

In addition to her role with the foundation, she serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Australia Youth Association and Operations Director of Roman Grammar School in Kokopo. She is also a wife and mother of a three-year-old child.

"I take direction from CEO Mr Bustin to ensure the program is managed and implemented in a timely and systematic manner," she said.