Appendices: Appendix 1. Major outcomes of the conference; Appendix 2. Biodata of speakers; Appendix 3. Conference program; Appendix 4. List of participants

Abstract

[Conclusion]: Five major outcomes and the way forward for the Kumul Scholar International (KSI) The following are the five major outcomes from the discussions that the participants felt were crucial for understanding the SAP as a program,its impacts in Papua New Guinea and what can be done by the KSI as the way forward. 1. Countries are developed by a core group of technocrats shielded by leadership. This enables home grown and owned reforms through this group. KSI should initiate and continue communication and dialogue with technocrats, politicians, private business, academics and graduate students both within Papua New Guinea and overseas through its activities such as KSI 2002 Conference the annual conference and a KSI alumnus organisation in Papua New Guinea. 2. Information is vital for development. Misinformation and lack of proper awareness is a recipe for disaster. KSI should establish a website to disseminate information and continue to organise and participate in public forums and conferences in Australia and Papua New Guinea. 3. Papua New Guinea’s problems have been a creeping crisis— high debt to increasing debt to disaster (3 Ds). The international donor community led by the World Bank and IMF’s intervention through SAPs in Papua New Guinea were reactions to requests from PNG during moments of crisis. It would be much better for Papua New Guinea to introduce such reforms voluntarily and intentionally during relatively stable periods. 4. Political economy matters as to who benefits and who loses from reforms. Thus reform is difficult, as power play is inevitable. Coalition governments are not conducive to structural reforms. National interests can be comprised through the pursuit of political interest and personal interests during the design and implementation of reform programs such as the SAP. The public’s access to information is hampered by a high rate of illiteracy and poor channels of communication. Thus, greater use and abuse of power by the minority who have access to information makes transparency and accountability of reforms difficult in Papua New Guinea. 5. Appropriate and efficient institutional development. This included institutions for human resource development, property rights and contract enforcement. Human resources are important. Recent public sector reforms have shown the severity of the human resource and capacity difficulties facing the nation. While investing in human resources, institutions that define property rights and enforce contracts are needed. The PNG constitution provides the framework for development.