Nominations | Emerging Leaders Dialogue

The Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue is the flagship annual event of the Aus-PNG Network at the Lowy Institute.

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 “Shared History, Shared Future: the next 50 years of Australia-Papua New Guinea relations” through a broad range of discussions across economic development, politics and society, business, sport, arts, and social media. Participants can shape and identify the topics for discussion under the theme.

Participants will be 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 2025 Emerging Leaders Dialogue will be held in Port Moresby from 26 to 30 May.

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 an Australian 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.

How to apply

  1. Write a short statement (no more than 250 words) in support of your application, including telling us about yourself and why you would like to participate in the Emerging Leaders Dialogue.
  2. Email your statement, your current resume, and contact details for a referee who can speak in support of your application to auspngnetwork@lowyinstitute.org.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue and will close Friday 31 January.