Dear Friend,

November Update from the Initiative for Peacebuilding

As we come to the end of 2024, which has been a transformative year for the Initiative for Peacebuilding, we take this opportunity to update you on our news and activities.

New appointments!

Dr Niamatullah Ibrahimi recently commenced as our Senior Research Fellow, and we are looking forward to welcoming Associate Professor (Peacebuilding) Jasmine Westendorf in February 2025.

See below for more updates on staffing. 

News and Events

Bougainville Senior Leadership Professional Development Program Module 6

This month, the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne hosted senior leaders from the Autonomous Government of Bougainville (ABG) in a culmination of an 18-month tailor-made leadership program to respond to development needs and aspirations of Bougainvilleans. 

The program has been attended by 35 leaders, including President Ishmael Toroama, Vice President Patrick Nisira and Speaker Simon Pentanu, Bougainville House of Representatives, 11 female elected leaders and appointed Heads of Department, demonstrating Bougainville's diverse and committed leadership. The BSLPDP team included representatives from UoM and other organisations who came together to learn from and share experiences with experts in topics such as ethical leadership, policy making, governance, government and public relations, public financial planning and management and economic development. Notable expert presenters include Vanuatu’s Minister Ralph Regenvanu, Professor Transform Arqurao, PNG NRI’s Dr Elizabeth Kopel, Solomon Islands and Alex Gusmao from Timor Leste. 

The 2023-2024 Bougainville Senior Leadership Professional Development Program (BSLPDP) is an Australian Government program implemented by the University of Melbourne with financial support from the New Zealand Government. 

The program is unique in that it is tailored for high level leaders in Bougainville, representing the islands to the East of Papua New Guinea. Bougainville has had a three-decade long successful peace process, which included autonomous status for the subregion and recent referendum where 98% of people voted for independence. The ABG is in the process of building many government systems and policies and so the program comes at a time when support and expertise can help build the future of Bougainville. 

The first five modules focused on ethical leadership, governance, policy making, government and public relations, and public financial planning and were delivered in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. The final module of the program was hosted by the University this month.  

The joyful end of program celebrations included reflections from leaders, prayers, folk music and traditional dances, and speeches by the President, Chief Secretary Nanei and Minister Amanda Masono, bringing together Bougainville, Pasifika and Australian contributors to the program. 

Myanmar Fellows Program

On Thursday the 21st of November, the Initiative for Peacebuilding hosted a Myanmar delegation, who were visiting Australia for a tailored 3-week Fellowship program and networking initiative funded by DFAT and delivered by the Diplomacy Training Program and Lawkapala Foundation.

The event included presentations by relevant NGOs and a seminar on multiculturalism in Australia included discussions from Dr Tania Miletic, Professor Joe Lo Bianco and Dr Michael Breen from the University of Melbourne. 

Debrief with DFAT

In November 2024 members of the Initiative team were grateful to attend a debriefing session with DFAT as a follow up to the UN Summit of the Future in New York in September. 

We valued the opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the Summit and look forward taking part in regular discussions with DFAT in conjunction with civil society groups regarding conflict prevention and Australia's role on the Peacebuilding Commission. 

Staffing

In November the Initiative was delighted to welcome Dr Niamatullah Ibrahimi to the team as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow.

Dr Niamatullah Ibrahimi is a Senior Research Fellow at the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne.

He completed his PhD at the Australian National University in 2018 where his doctoral thesis examined the dynamics of contentious politics in the context of international intervention and statebulding in Afghanistan since 2001. His research interests include terrorism and political violence, contentious politics, nationalism and ethnic politics, and post-conflict governance and security dynamics.

We would also like to extend warm congratulations to Lesley Pruitt, who was recently promoted to Associate Professor. 

Supporting the Initiative

We welcome new subscribers to this newsletter and fostering connections amongst our networks.

We are extremely appreciative of the financial support received by the Initiative to date. 

If you are interested in making a gift, please click below.