Bridging the Gap: The Disconnect Between Academics and Practitioners in PNG Foreign Policy

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the divide between academics and practitioners in foreign policy continues to hinder the development of a cohesive and forward-looking foreign policy framework. This disconnect is not unique to PNG, as Allan Gyngell and Michael Wesley highlight in their seminal book, Making Australian Foreign Policy. Gyngell, who passed away in 2023, described the diverging worlds of practitioners and academics: one grounded in complex realities and detail, the other focused on abstraction and theory.

This issue is particularly pronounced in PNG, where recent efforts to update the country’s foreign policy underscore the divide. The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) tasked with drafting the updated foreign policy notably excludes foreign policy and international relations academics from institutions like Divine Word University and the University of Papua New Guinea.

Adding to this discourse, Lahui Ako, a seasoned diplomat and retired foreign service officer, provides valuable insights in his book God Knows Best: Reflections on APEC 2018. His observations shed light on the challenges practitioners face and the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice in PNG’s foreign policy landscape.

Foreign policy practitioners in PNG operate in a demanding environment where policies are crafted amidst a web of competing interests, resource constraints, and immediate crises. As Gyngell and Wesley noted, “The reality lies in the detail, and in the interaction of detail lies the policy.” For practitioners, success often depends on navigating these complexities rather than applying abstract theories.

Lahui Ako’s reflections in God Knows Best echo this sentiment. Drawing on his extensive experience, he emphasizes the practical challenges of hosting major events like APEC 2018, where resource limitations, logistical complexities, and political expectations converge. Ako highlights how effective diplomacy requires not just theoretical knowledge but also practical skills such as negotiation, adaptability, and the ability to manage unforeseen challenges.

This emphasis on practicality often leads practitioners to view academic research with skepticism. As Gyngell and Wesley observed, practitioners see academic debates as overly simplistic, failing to capture the nuances of real-world policymaking.

Academics in PNG’s international relations field focus on abstraction, logical consistency, and post-hoc analysis. Their work often centers on identifying patterns, critiquing established theories, and proposing new frameworks. As Gyngell and Wesley pointed out, “Debates among IR academics have singularly failed to arouse the attention or interest of any but the IR community.”

This insularity limits the practical applicability of academic research in PNG. While theoretical critiques of realism and other IR paradigms may enrich scholarly discussions, they rarely address the immediate concerns of policymakers. In PNG, the disconnect is further highlighted by the exclusion of IR academics from initiatives like the EPG, signaling a missed opportunity to integrate theoretical insights into policy formulation.

Ako’s reflections in God Knows Best illustrate how collaboration between academics and practitioners can enhance foreign policy outcomes. He argues that PNG’s hosting of APEC 2018 demonstrated the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination, and the ability to anticipate challenges. These lessons, if incorporated into academic curricula, could better prepare students for the realities of diplomacy.

Ako also notes the need for a unified vision in foreign policy—a vision that could be strengthened by bridging the academic-practitioner divide. By working together, academics and practitioners can develop policies that are both informed by theoretical insights and grounded in practical realities.

Lahui Ako in the background walking past world leaders

To address this disconnect, PNG must foster greater collaboration between its academic and practitioner communities. Initiatives such as hybrid programs that combine theoretical learning with practical training, policy simulation exercises, and mentorship opportunities with experienced diplomats like Ako could help bridge the gap.

Digital platforms for dialogue, such as the PNG Foreign Policy Discussion Groups on Facebook and WhatsApp that I co-manage, provide another avenue for engagement. These forums enable academics and practitioners to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and work towards shared goals.

The disconnect between academics and practitioners in PNG foreign policy is not insurmountable. As both Gyngell and Wesley, and Lahui Ako highlight, the key lies in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. By integrating academic insights with practical experience, PNG can craft a foreign policy that is both visionary and effective—a policy that meets the challenges of today while preparing for the uncertainties of tomorrow.

(For readers interested in these influential works, Gyngell and Wesley’s Making Australian Foreign Policy and Ako’s God Knows Best: Reflections on APEC 2018 are both available for further exploration.)