Pacific customs officials embark on management program
Kaddie Pass
1 May 2007: Customs officers from Australia's Pacific neighbours will spend the next month in Canberra finetuning their management and leadership skills.
The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES) and the Oceania Customs Organisation have teamed up run a customs management program specifically designed for Pacific customs administrations.
Chief executive officer of Australian Customs Service, Michael Carmody, officially welcomed the 20 ‘students' from 17 nations at a University morning tea last week.
With two representatives from the Solomon Islands present, Mr Carmody issued condolences in recognition of it being a national day of mourning for the victims of the recent tsunami. He stressed the importance of building networks and utilising the opportunities offered by the program.
"Countries rely on effective management of customs and this program will provide an opportunity for you to take back skills that will build your countries for the future," Mr Carmody said.
The customs officials will be able to take their careers to the next level through the program
"CCES has been developing these programs with us over recent years and if you put in a bit, you'll take back a lot."
Program convenor, Athol Gardiner, said the program aims to enhance networks between regional customs administrations, develop management and leadership capacity within these administrations and contribute to improved capacity for customs administrations across the Pacific.
The 'students', customs officers on the road to promotion to senior roles, have been teamed up with tutors from CCES and mentors from the Australian Customs Service.
The program is sponsored by the Australian Customs Service and the New Zealand Customs Service in association with the Oceania Customs Organisation, a regional organisation based in Fiji representing 23 customs administrations throughout the Pacific. |
