Youth policy and governance gaps in PNG: supporting collective problem solving

Barbara Thomas Elias, Denphil-Hunt Mitir and Shane D'Angelo

Published

17 Aug 2026

PNG's first National Youth Multi-Stakeholder Meeting shows that bridging the gap between youth policy rhetoric and subnational reality demands slow, relational coalition-building — not just big-ticket announcements.DisclosureThe Voice Inc. receives funding for its Local Leadership and Collective Action Program (LLCAP) from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Building Community Engagement in Papua New Guinea (BCEP) program.About the author/sBarbara Thomas EliasBarbara Thomas Elias is the current Acting Executive Director of The Voice Inc, with experience in governance, public policy and youth leadership. Barbara is also an honorary associate with La Trobe University’s Centre for Human Security and Social Change.Denphil-Hunt MitirDenphil-Hunt Mitir serves as the Coalitions Officer (Youth) with The Voice Inc. His work focuses on empowering local leaders, authorities and issue-based coalitions to advance youth development opportunities and policy reform.Shane D'AngeloMr Shane D’Angelo is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Security and Social Change, La Trobe University. His research focusses on supporting positive social change initiatives with Indigenous Australia, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The Centre is contracted as The Voice Inc’s learning partner in implementing the Local Leadership for Collective Action Program.