General News
Call for Applications - 2012 Greg Urwin Awards
The Greg Urwin Awards (GUA) were established in 2008 to honor the memory and legacy of the former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). Greg Urwin was the Secretary General PIFS from 2003 until his passing in August 2008. Prior to his appointment, Greg had an esteemed career with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he held numerous senior diplomatic postings in the Pacific region. His family life was centred around Samoa, where he now rests. Greg Urwin's capable and strategic leadership of PIFS led to many major achievements, including the establishment of the Pacific Plan as the platform for strengthened regional cooperation for the benefit of Pacific peoples. Greg was deeply committed to the Pacific and he spent much of his career devoted to the region.
The Awards are funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and co-administered by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the Pacific Leadership Program. The Greg Urwin selection committee is comprised of the Secretary General PIFS; the Australian High Commissioner, Fiji; Ms Suliana Siwatibau, PLP Advisory Panel Member; and AusAID Minister Counsellor for the Pacific.
The GUAs provide financial and administrative support to the value of $25,000AUD for scholars and professionals to undertake a three to six month placement with a Pacific regional organisation of relevance to the recipient's professional development and leadership potential. The candidate must show exemplary academic achievement and leadership experience in their field. Applicants must also demonstrate how their chosen placement will provide them with valuable professional experience and exposure to new ideas and networks that will assist them to develop their leadership capacity in the Pacific.
This year, the criteria for the Awards has been expanded to expand the number of Pacific Islanders who will be eligible for receive the Award. Applications are sought from individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Are Pacific Island nationals;
- Have completed, or are about to complete[1], a postgraduate qualification (Masters level or higher) from a recognised University;
- Can demonstrate or show potential for leadership in contributing to developmental change in the Pacific
At the request of Mr Urwin's family, special consideration will be given to applicants in the health sector who wish to pursue a project related to cancer awareness, treatment and/or research with applications for the Pacific.
More information on 2012 Greg Urwin Awards please download the http://www.forumsec.org/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Greg%20Urwin%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Sept%202011%20FINAL.pdft,, and click here to download the http://www.forumsec.org/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/Greg%20Urwin%20Awards%20Application%2021%20Sep%2011%20FINAL.docx.
Applications close 25 November, 2011.
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Email from: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
