LocationsAs part of their joint efforts to combat corruption in Papua New Guinea, UNDP, PNG/Pacific Center for Judicial Excellence and Department of Justice and Attorney General hosted two trainings on whistleblower protection for Papua New Guinea Judiciary and lawyers on 12 and 13 September 2023.
UNDP trains members of the judiciary on whistleblower protection
September 21, 2023
Participants of the training held on 12 September
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
Both trainings were organized by UNDP under the “Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea Project” (PNG Anti-Corruption Project), which is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by UNDP and UNODC. Trainings were organized in partnership with PNG/Pacific Center for Judicial Excellence the Department of Justice and Attorney General.
The first training, which took place on 12 September 2023, included judges and magistrates. The second training that was held on 13 September 2023 targeted legal practitioners. Both trainings focused on familiarizing the participants with the Whistleblower Act 2020.
“Whistleblower protection is critical, because the success of anti-corruption efforts ultimately depends on both citizens and public servants feeling safe to report any wrongdoing. At the same time, it is equally important that the judicial system processes such complaints in a fair and efficient manner. This training will provide the participants with the necessary tools to effectively implement the provisions of the Whistleblower Act 2020, which UNDP has had the privilege of developing in cooperation with the Government,” UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Edward Vrkic, stated in his opening remarks to the participants.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Edward Vrkic, during his opening remarks.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
“The European Union is very pleased to support this training, because we believe that whistleblowers play a crucial role in improving the welfare of society by upholding transparency and accountability,” said Ms. Isabella Ferrari, a Program Officer from the European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea.
The participants of both trainings were actively involved in the interactive sessions, which provided them with various practical examples of how the new legislation could be applied to grant injunctive relief and other remedies in whistleblowing cases.
Isabella Ferrari, a Program Officer from the European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea during her remarks.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea
‘’Trainings like these are always helpful for those of us who work in the judiciary and magisterial services, because it gives us the opportunity to share experiences and look at how legislation will operate as matters come before the courts,” said Honourable Justice John Carey, Judge Administrator from Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence at the opening of the training for judges and magistrates on 12 September 2023.
Through the European Union-funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project, UNDP has been particularly active in upholding the cause of whistleblowers as of recent. Earlier this month, UNDP and the Department of Justice and Attorney General already hosted trainings on whistleblower protection for public officials from Government departments responsible for implementing the Whistleblower Act 2020. You may learn more about these earlier trainings here.
Honourable Justice John Carey, Judge Administrator from Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence at the opening of the training for judges and magistrates on 12 September 2023.
Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea