New Forum Committee Embraces Civil Society, Business and Public Sector Skills ^Featured

Taylor said when the eight member subcommittee meets for the first time in Suva next week, "They will respond to other people's wisdom and play a proactive role in championing new debate and analysis on emerging issues in our region."

Among the public sector members, she said, is Mr Gustav Aitaro, Director of Foreign Affairs in the Government of Palau, "and has experience and expertise in economic planning, public policy formulation and implementation, sustainable development, gender issues and geopolitical relations in the Pacific region."

The secretary general was also delighted to welcome Mr Lopeti Senituli, CEO of the Tongan Ministry of Internal Affairs, who she recalled, "also has extensive experience in civil society organisations, having previously headed the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre and Tonga's Community Development Trust. Mr Senituli has also served as Press Secretary and Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Senior Executive Officer of the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries."

Secretary General Taylor said she was looking forward to seeing Mr John Davidson of Australia who has worked extensively in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the World Bank, "one of the most respected development professionals in our region who brings to our work extensive experience in the implementation of policy and loan- and grant-based programs. He has particular expertise in regional approaches to development issues, governance and public sector reform, service delivery in decentralised governance systems, organisational development, and alternative activity delivery modalities."

Other members of the subcommittee which meets on Monday and Tuesday are: Ms Teresa Manarangi-Trott, Mr William Kostka and Mr Peter Kiley.