APNGFA

 

CHARTER OF THE

AUSTRALIA PAPUA NEW GUINEA FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION Inc.

 

Preamble

Papua New Guinea is Australia's closest neighbour and one with whom Australia has had a long and lasting relationship

 

Papua New Guinea has maintained good and improving relations with its neighbours. These have been formalised by a series of agreements including the Joint Declaration of Principles with Australia in 1987. In accordance with these principles Papua New Guinea will solve its own problems but Australia stands ready to help. The time now seems appropriate for an interested, non-governmental organisation to make its contribution. Accordingly a group of Australians, with expertise of, or interest, in Papua New Guinea has come together voluntarily to form an Australia Papua New Guinea Friendship Association.

 

Objectives

The aim of the Association is to promote friendship, trust and understanding between the peoples of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

 

To this end it will seek to establish communication links and the exchange of ideas between Australians and Papua New Guineans at all levels. Where appropriate it will seek to co-operate with Papua New Guinea in that country's efforts to achieve its national goals.

 

Organisation

The Association will consist of a limited number of Australians who will function basically as a lobby group to further the objectives of the Association. Invited members, who preferably will have some background of experience of Papua New Guinea , will have skills and expertise in a wide variety of fields.

 

The Association will have President, Vice President, Executive (Planning) Committee and Secretary. It will be under the patronage of a respected Australian and Papua New Guinean at the invitation of the President and Executive Committee.

 

Liaison

The Association will consider possible projects with appropriate Papua New Guineans and in particular with the High Commission and Consulate General of Papua New Guinea in Canberra and Sydney respectively.

 

Liaison will be maintained with appropriate Federal and State organisations and departments in particular with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

Encouragement will be given to the formation of a similar body to the Association in Port Moresby with whom ideas and plans may be discussed and exchanged.

 

Public Relations

Appropriate publicity will be given to the Association and its projects as a means of educating the public and extending the Association's influence. A public relations officer will be appointed to the Executive.

 

Sydney

August 1990