March 11, 2024 at 4PM
E fa’atalofa atu i:
Lau Susuga i le Ta’ita’i o le Sauniga
Lau Afioga i le Tama’ita’i Palemia o le Malo o Samoa – Fiamē Naomi Matāafa
Lau Afioga i le Ta’ita’ifono o le Komisi e Pulea Tagata Faigaluega a le Malo, Nonu Saleimoa Vaai
Lau Afioga i le Ofisa Sili o le Iunivesitē Aoao o Samoa, Tuifuisa’a Patila Amosa
Le mamalu o fa’auluuluga o Matagaluega o le Malo ua afifio mai, aemaise le vasega fa’avae o lenei taumafaiga
Fa’afetai tele mo lo’u avanoa e fai atu ai si na fa’amatalaga pu’upu’u i le auga o le tatou fa’atasiga i lenei afiafi. O le a taumafai atu si na upu i le gagana fa’aperetania.
Effective public administration is at the core of democracy and the public’s trust in government operations.
The rule of law. Transparency. Equity. Effectiveness. Efficiency. Accountability.
These principles underpin the authority of public servants. They are the foundation of public confidence.
Australia, Samoa and our Pacific partners have a shared commitment to the principles of transparent and accountable government and institutions.
At this juncture, I wish to recognise the Prime Minister’s leadership and her efforts to provide the necessary tools to support these shared principles.
Australia is therefore so pleased to support this course. The course is aimed at helping senior executives in the public service to build their leadership qualities and refine their strategic focus. Ultimately, it is their leadership which will enhance the delivery of services to the people of Samoa.
This course will provide postgraduate training for 48 government and non-government officials.
It is part of a broader three-year $1.8 million tala Governance and Leadership Workforce Planning initiative under Australia and Samoa’s Tautai partnership.
Prime Minister, Tautai is working directly with the Government of Samoa on your policy priorities across finance, public administration, law and justice and community development sectors.
Tautai is working with the Public Service Commission
– to support Samoa’s national work force plan
– to provide public financial management training courses
– to bring CEOs together through leadership networking forums
– and to deliver a leadership and management program known as Talofa with a Smile.
We are also proud of the long-standing partnership between our respective Public Service Commissions.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Leadership that we are launching today adds to this partnership.
It also reflects Australia’s commitment to locally-led development.
As highlighted by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Australia is committed to increasing investments in locally-driven solutions to generate local employment, economic prospects, and to foster authentic, respectful partnerships.
This was reinforced during Senior Officials Talks in Canberra last week where both countries confirmed support for a development partnership focused on Samoa’s national priorities – as articulated in the Pathway for the Development of Samoa.
The postgraduate certificate we are launching today supports a number of Samoa’s priorities from this strategy: Improved Accountability, People Empowerment and building a Skilled Workforce.
And it does so with locally-led development in mind.
The initiative recognises the importance of investing in and enhancing local institutions such as the National University of Samoa.
It recognises the importance of using existing local academic programs, rather than relying on external institutions.
And the initiative recognises the importance of enhancing local leadership capacity and skills across the public, private and civil society sectors.
On that note, can I also acknowledge the leadership of Commissioner Nonu and Vice Chancellor Tuifuisa’a in extending the opportunities for this training to the non-government participants through the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Government Organisations.
We know that development is a national endeavor that requires government, civil society and the private sector to work together.
I conclude by congratulating the 48 government and non-government officials for being selected to undertake this course.
Saga’i ane laia e fa’atumu lau utu i le punāvai i le Papa-i-gala-gala auā sou sao taua i le atiina’eina o Samoa.
O tou māmā nā.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
