Bridging Theory and Practice: Sessional Lectures on PNG’s Foreign Policy

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Foreign policy education in PNG has entered a new phase of innovation. At Divine Word University, the unit Foreign Policy in PNG (PG428) is now delivered fully online, with a strong emphasis on blending academic inquiry with practical experience. For the past four years, I have co-taught this unit alongside Mr. Lahui Ako, a veteran of the foreign service whose insights allow students to see both the theory and practice of statecraft. This partnership, supported by digital platforms, ensures that students across PNG can engage with one of the most important areas of national decision-making.

The unit is designed to give students a critical understanding of how PNG interacts with the international system. Through ten online lectures, ten Moodle lessons, and a capstone case study, students are introduced to the key decisions and turning points that have shaped PNG’s foreign policy since independence. But more importantly, they are challenged to assess the merits and shortcomings of these policies, connecting historical developments to contemporary challenges.

The lectures are delivered live on Zoom, recorded, and uploaded to the YouTube channel @MangiHB, making them accessible for review. This represents an important change in 2025: previously, content was livestreamed through the PNG Foreign and Security Policies Community Facebook group, but the shift to YouTube provides a more professional, easily archived, and widely accessible platform. Topics begin with Foreign Policy: Defining the Concept and move to Academics versus Practitioners, a session that sparks debate on how theory and practice sometimes align but often diverge. Each lecture builds on the last, preparing students to think about PNG’s foreign policy as both a conceptual framework and a set of applied decisions in real-world contexts.

From there, the unit explores history: Foreign Policy at Independence, Somare’s Influence, and the 1979 Foreign Policy Review provide a foundation for understanding how early leadership and institutionalization shaped PNG’s external orientation. Political instability and its impact on foreign policy are also examined, revealing how domestic turbulence has repeatedly disrupted diplomatic continuity.

The middle of the course shifts to major policy changes. Wingti and the “Look North” Policy addresses PNG’s pivot toward Asia, while PNG Connect in a Globalized World analyzes the O’Neill government’s emphasis on infrastructure, connectivity, and diversified diplomacy. These sessions highlight how leaders reposition PNG in response to changing global and regional dynamics.

Contemporary issues come next. Foreign Policy Review 2017 examines how PNG sought to realign its strategy for a shifting geopolitical environment. Finally, Future Trends in PNG’s Foreign Policy invites students to anticipate the next decade, considering the impact of climate change, strategic competition, and regional integration. The online format encourages immediate interaction, with participation built into the grading structure.

Week 12: Exploring future trends in PNG’s foreign policy with a focus on faith-based diplomacy and the PNG–Israel relationship

One of the most distinctive features of the unit is its emphasis on active online engagement. Students are required to make at least 25 questions and 25 comments across the semester’s Zoom lectures and Q&A sessions. These contributions must be verbal and demonstrate critical thinking; chat-box participation does not count. This requirement ensures that learning is interactive, dynamic, and participatory. Attendance is compulsory, and missed sessions require formal applications with evidence.

Assessment is spread evenly across Moodle lessons (30%), online participation (30%), and a substantial group case study (40%). Case study presentations are conducted via Zoom and uploaded to the YouTube channel, reinforcing the online-first approach. By combining theoretical lessons, live discussions, and applied group work, the unit ensures that students leave not just with knowledge but with the analytical and communicative skills required to participate meaningfully in foreign policy debates.

At its core, Foreign Policy in PNG is more than a university unit. It is a deliberate effort to build national capacity by training students who can critically analyze PNG’s foreign policy past, assess its present, and anticipate its future. The online shift from Facebook livestreaming to YouTube archiving marks a step forward in accessibility and professionalism. After four years of co-teaching this unit with Mr. Lahui Ako, I can confidently say it prepares students not only to understand foreign policy but to contribute to shaping it in the years to come.

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