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Another first person aid memoir you could include here is my book, 'Where are you this time?', stories about delivering technical assistance in places from Kosovo to Afghanistan, Somalia, Kazakhstan and the Philippines. (Available as an ebook or paperback on Amazon and other online retailers.) I've also been surprised that there are so few memoirs from this field of work. There are so many interesting stories to tell and I would encourage everyone to have a go at telling them.

Sustainability expert Jeffrey Sachs, outlined that Australia can limit its carbon footprint by moving from coal mining to building it's tourism sector. Maybe, the APTC graduates could provide that much needed hopitality workforce the sector desperately needs (specially Western Australia).

Oh dear, my apologies, I should have looked at that first. Thanks Stephen.

Hi Juliet, yes it is all in the Discussion Paper linked at the bottom of the blog. The gender dimensions are particularly interesting, and we're hoping to write a separate blog on this - so watch this space.

Thanks for the blog. Was there any sector- or sex-disaggregated data available for analysis?

Totally agree with Keni Naika. I was wondering, if there were any changes since this 2016 report. Would be interested to see. Comparing it to current (2021).

Thanks Nematullah and Emmanuel for exploring such an important question! The article opened with a reference to a 2018 Parliamentary question asked by then Shadow Treasurer, now Treasurer, the Hon. Ian Ling-Stuckey. Following is a new link to the question that was asked – this is done for reasons of public transparency as such questions are hard to access on the public record (and so I had to add it to my own website) http://pngeconomics.org/2021/02/pngs-descent-to-a-fragile-state-can-it-recover-again/. The question indicates the basis for the current Treasurer's claim that PNG had descended back to fragile state status in 2014 were World Bank and ADB indicators of “fragile situation” countries. The source materials and analysis were included in the question (which is provided to the PNG Parliament’s speaker) and are included in the link above. One particularly interesting element of the background analysis, arguably not explored fully in the Devpol analysis, is the dynamics of such a status. PNG had climbed out from being a "failed state" during the year’s 2007 to 2013. It then fell back into that failed state status by 2014. This was driven mainly by a fall in measures of economic management during the O’Neill years according to the analysis of the World Bank and ADB. Since 2020, the listing has been simplified. PNG is still in the listing as a “High Institutional and Social Fragility” country http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/888211594267968803/FCSList-FY21.pdf. Hopefully, improvements in economic management backed with continued friendly foreign support will allow for one of the positive scenarios in the Devpol analysis. [Disclaimer: The author currently works as Principal Economic Advisor to PNG’s Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey]

It's the very good action taken by the ATTORNEY General We are proud of the hero of Fiji

One Pacific sounds like a good idea, but I'd suggest that there is racism within and between some peoples of the Pacific States. Sharing the SG position between 'peoples' of the PIF is a way of respecting each other to overcome this. To build on our common heritage whilst recognising our distinct qualities.

Thanks Geejay, for this well balanced piece. Ours is a perception problem, coupled with poverty of opportunity. You clearly discussed some of the common perceptions which is more harmful than good, like 'yu man ya noken cry olsem meri na go boksenim em'. We have a moral responsibility to teach our children about empathy, love and care for fellow man. What happens on the streets are basically opportunist look for the weak to prey on, and unfortunately solo riders are mainly targeted. But when they are unlucky they become the 'prey'. I recalled this story, a taekwondo instructor was returning home after training and a bunch of boys attempted to hold him up and you can guess what happened to the boys? Way forward, in the interim, police to patrol common places and respond to incidents quick. Better still, do not travel alone! Sector response in Lae Metropolitan seems to bear better results with petty crimes going down, and similar approach must be adopted in other centers. Apart from training children, the government must create opportunities, in the long run, to capture potential talents which are wasted on the streets.

Thanks so much, Samantha! Agree 100% on rapid feedback loops - maybe they are so influential that we don't want to acknowledge them as such! Thanks so much for the support - next episode 'drops' tomorrow at 6am

Further to the Special Leaders' Retreat, the Forum Secretariat has been tasked to review the process by which the Secretary-General is selected/appointed. Hopefully this will lead to a bit more clarity and certainty next time around