Tongan woman Adi Talanaivini Mafi, 25, has been announced as one of the recipients of an Australian government and Pacific Islands Forum Secreatariat funded Pacific Leadership Program in honour of the former Secretary General of PIFS, the late Mr. Greg Urwin.
Ms. Mafi hopes the award “will contribute to her plans to advocate for the rights of children within the Tongan criminal justice system”.
This was a chance for her to pursue her endeavour to put an end to “legally mandated violence against children”.
She will take up her placement with the SPC Regional Rights Resources Team (RRRT) in Suva, Fiji.
She is currently a legal officer with Tonga’s Ministry of Justice and Sub Registrar with the Registrar General’s Office.
She holds a Masters of Law from Queen Mary University of London, a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Law both from the University of the South Pacific.
About the Awards
The Greg Urwin Awards are a joint initiative of the Australian Government-funded Pacific Leadership Program (PLP) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The Awards were established in 2008 to honour the memory and legacy of the former Secretary General of PIFS, the late Mr. Greg Urwin.
Up to five grants of AUD$25,000 are awarded to outstanding Pacific Island professionals, researchers and emerging leaders to undertake a 3-6 month placement with a regional organisation or institution that has the potential to contribute to the positive development in the Pacific.
The call for applications for the Awards are held in September to October each year. Applications for the 2016 Greg Urwin Awards have closed and successful candidates have been informed.
General Eligibility Criteria
Successful applicants will:
- Be citizens of Pacific Island countries.
- Have completed, or will complete in 2015, a postgraduate qualification (Masters level or Phd. level)
- Have confirmed a placement with a host organisation or institution (including Australia and New Zealand).
Applicants must arrange their own placements and show exemplary academic achievement and leadership experience in their academic and/or professional field and in local community. Applicants must be able to explain how their chosen placement will provide valuable professional experience, exposure to new ideas and create networks that will develop their leadership capacity in the Pacific Islands region.
Priority Areas
Applications are sought from scholars and professionals in a diverse range of fields including the private sector, public sector, civil society, health sector and academia. At the request of the late 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.
