The Program Management and Steering Committee for the third phase of the Laos Australia Institute held its first meeting last week.
The Committee, chaired by the Lao Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Kingmano Phommahaxay, and Australia’s Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Dan Heldon, is the key governance body for the Laos Australia Institute, Australia’s human resource development program in Laos. The meeting focused on Australia’s investment in human resource development in Laos and areas for future support.
Over four years, Australia will commit AUD 22 million through this new phase of the Laos Australia Institute to support the Lao Government to improve human resource development outcomes. This includes delivery of scholarships, short courses and training, technical advice, policy development advice, and support for government organizations, including offering opportunities for strategic and regional engagement.
The newly formed Program Management and Steering Committee includes representatives from the Governments of Australia and Laos and Party organizations. The Committee provides a forum for joint decision-making and allocation of priorities to guide the work of the Laos Australia Institute, which includes implementation support for the Lao National Human Resource Development Strategy.
Deputy Minister Mr. Kingmano Phommahaxay opened the meeting and commented on the strength of the relationship between Australia and Laos, by emphasizing that the two nations have enjoyed an unbroken diplomatic relationship for over 70 years.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Dan Heldon, Deputy Ambassador, Australian Embassy said that the Steering Committee will “play a critical role in the endorsement of activities and in making sure that our investments are aligned with the priorities of the Government of Laos, responding to human resource development needs in Laos and achieving effective and efficient human resource development outcomes”.
Mr. Heldon further remarked “Australia has had a long-standing development cooperation engagement with Laos. One of our top priorities is investing in human resource development to ensure Laos has the skills and knowledge it needs for sustainable and inclusive social and economic development.”
The Laos Australia Institute is a partnership between the Governments of Australia and Laos designed to help Laos address its most critical human resource development needs over the next four years and beyond. Its mission is to improve Laos’ human resources through strategic investments in scholarships, training, alumni engagement, and organizational capacity building.
The Program Management and Steering Committee will meet annually to review the progress of the Laos Australia Institute and endorse future work plans.
