Papua New Guinea's emerging 12 young leaders have embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime exchange programme to Australia as part of KTF’s (Kokoda Track Foundation) Archer Leaders Development Program. During the 2-week exchange, the 2024 Archer Leaders visited Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane completing a jam-packed schedule designed to build leadership skills, broaden perspectives, undertake career-aligned work experience and foster invaluable professional networks. Experiences included a series of adaptive leadership workshops by Conversus Leaders, tailored work experience placements, meetings with key leaders from the government, private and the community sectors, a personal tour of NSW Parliament House by Greens Member for Balmain, Kobi Shetty MP and a behind the scenes a visit to Channel 7, hosted by Sharyn Ghidella. Cultural immersion days included visits to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and FareShare, the Auburn Community Centre and the Street University. Culminating in a cocktail event in Brisbane, the Archer Leaders had the opportunity to speak alongside His Excellency John Kali, High Commissioner for PNG, Dadi Toka Jnr, Chairman of the Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor for NCD, Ian Kemish AM and Dr Genevieve Nelson, KTF Chair & CEO, Archer alumni based in Brisbane and key corporate and community stakeholders. Speaking on behalf of the group, Chelsea Paspalau (Fisheries & Marine Science, PNGUNRE) and Taine Kassman (Law, UPNG) passionately shared the impact of the experience with guests. “The Archer Leadership program is spectacular, it's crazy and it's out of the ordinary.” Taine shared. “These opportunities have enlightened us and challenged us, we have seen the standard in all our respective professions, and this has given us the responsibility to strive for excellence.” “The days have been long and tiring but have taught us so much about what being a leader is…” “Inevitably, we learnt that leadership starts with self, and it has helped us become versatile in knowing the role we need to play as young leaders of our nation.” “This experience has taught us so many different ways of giving back to our communities, we have learnt that real change…can start from the bottom up.” “And that is what we, as Archers, look to do in the near future.” “We are 12 young aspiring leaders who have come from different backgrounds, have different journeys and have conquered different battles.”” “But we are bound by one theme, and that is being an active agent for change in our country.” As His Excellency John Kali remarked, the future is in strong and safe hands with these young leaders on the cusp of driving meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Meanwhile, KTF CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson said: “This one-of-a-kind development journey is designed to take emerging leaders out of their comfort zones and push them into new experiences.” “The exchange broadens their perspectives, opens minds, and fosters understanding of different social groups and cultures, inspiring new ideas and goals to bring back to PNG; fostering innovative and adaptive leaders of tomorrow that prioritise tangible and sustainable social change.” “I had goosebumps hearing from Taine and Chelsea at our event, and indeed speaking to all of the Archers during the exchange.” “This group of young women and men are extraordinary, and I look forward to following the impact of their leadership journey in PNG.” KTF’s life-changing program would not be possible without the generous support of Newmont, Kina Bank and the Fred P. Archer Trust managed via Perpetual Trustees. The Archer Leader Development Program is a year-long experience that includes mentoring by a senior leader, work experience placements in Australia and Papua New Guinea, support for tuition and boarding fees, an educational and professional development resource allowance, community projects, as well as the exchange program to Australia. It has been operating for 14 years and boasts an alumnus of 106 emerging leaders.