The Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue is the flagship annual event of the Aus-PNG Network at the Lowy Institute. It brings together 20 young leaders from PNG and Australia to explore pressing development and security issues affecting PNG-Australia relations. The program includes exchanges with experts, dialogues with leading academics and policymakers, opportunities for networking, site visits, and interactive learning activities over five days.

This year, participants examined the theme of Youth and the power of young people in forging stronger Australia-PNG ties through a broad range of discussions across economic development, politics and society, business, sport, arts, and social media. Participants had the opportunity to shape and identify the topics for discussion under the ‘Youth’ theme.

Participants were drawn from a range of experience, expertise and industry and society groups, with a strong vision for shaping the future. In previous years, the Dialogue has provided insight into topics including health, leadership, defence, economic empowerment, art, politics, and civil society.

The 2024 Emerging Leaders Dialogue was held in Canberra from 7 to 11 October.

Participants’ insights are documented in an outcomes paper, which is published on the Network’s website and launched at public events.

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of either Papua New Guinea or Australia;
• Hold a passport, if applying as a Papua New Guinean citizen or resident;
• Be aged 40 years or younger at 1 December in the year of application; and
• Be able to demonstrate personal qualities and attributes to contribute to a stronger relationship between PNG and Australia.