The 2024 Pacific Leadership Program (PLP) was held at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) between April 8-19. This marks the first in-person PLP since the pandemic, with the previous one in 2022 held virtually. The Program was jointly hosted by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at the University of Technology Sydney (WHOCC UTS) and the South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Alliance (SPCNMOA).
Fellows in attendance included 26 Pacific nursing and midwifery leaders and chief nursing and midwifery officers (CNMOs) from 13 Pacific Island countries and territories: Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
WHO CC Nursing and Midwifery UTS team and PLP fellows with Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu
One of the highlights of this year was the presence of the WHO Chief Nursing Officer Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, who is a Pacific (Tongan) Leader herself. Her expertise and words of advice were greatly appreciated by the WHO CC Nursing and Midwifery Team, invited UTS faculty members, and the fellows.
Despite making up close to 75% of the regulated health workforce, nurses and midwives continue to be underrepresented in the region, both in leadership and policy. As one fellow put it, they are pushed “from bedside nursing to boardroom nursing” with little capacity building.
The PLP addresses this gap. The aim of the program has been enhance that leadership capacity within the Pacific by developing the skills of nursing and midwifery leaders through exposure to expertise on various topics. Other program activities included country reflection and prayers which provided great insight into participating countries and project presentations that outlined the work the fellows would be engaging in upon their return.
WHO CC Nursing and Midwifery UTS Director Prof. Michele Rumsey with PLP fellows at the Welcome Reception
A virtual conference was also held on the morning of April 18th in collaboration with JHPIEGO, with participants from the Caribbean, extending the reach of the Program beyond the Pacific. Dr Carey McCarthy, Technical Officer, Health Workforce Department, WHO HQ, joined in for an update on the upcoming State of Worlds Nursing Report 2025.
A wonderful Welcome Reception was held on the evening of April 10th graced with esteemed guests including Professor Andrew Parfitt (Vice-Chancellor, UTS), Adj. Prof. Alison McMillan (Australian CNMO), Ms Emeline Cammach (Director, Specialist Health Advice, DFAT), Prof. Debra Anderson (Dean, Faculty of Health, UTS), Sr Mele Sii Inukihaangana Filise (CNO, Tonga), Sr Colleen T Wilson (CNMO, Fiji), Prof. Kathleen Baird (UTS), Prof. Angela Dawson (Assoc. Dean of Research, Faculty of Health, UTS) , Ms Amy Persson (Interim Pro Vice Chancellor, Social Justice and Inclusion, UTS), and newly appointed Centre Patron Ms Stephanie Copus Campbell (AM) (Ambassador for Gender Equality, DFAT).
The Program overall was a testament of regional identity and collaboration, and as one fellow stated, “… it shapes the future of all Pacific countries for [the] better”.