Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

PNG Rare Birds Global Ambassadors program launched

Three new Papua New Guinean Ambassadors for women’s economic empowerment were announced this week by the founder of Inspiring Rare Birds, Jo Burston, at a celebration in Port Moresby on 30 July.

Earlier this year, six Papua New Guinean women leaders from various sectors and backgrounds visited Australia under the Women in Leadership Fellowship program. They met men and women working in politics, business, public policy, academia and the civil society, sharing ideas on leadership and building linkages between Australia and PNG.

One of the businesses they visited was Inspiring Rare Birds. Founded in 2014 by Australian entrepreneur Jo Burston, the social impact business works to improve women’s economic security through opportunities in leadership and entrepreneurship. It is now a community of more than 60,000 women and their supporters.

Inspiring Rare Birds runs a mentoring program to match women business owners and high potential leaders with male and female mentors, as well as special education programs for school girls that combine entrepreneurial skills with health and financial literacy.

In order to extend its impact across Australia and globally, Rare Birds relies on Ambassadors who can advocate for women’s empowerment and support women in their local communities. Three new Ambassadors were launched on Tuesday 30 July at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby: Vani Nades, Founder and CEO Emstret Holdings Limited, Susil Nelson-Kongoi, Public Policy and Issues Manager for ExxonMobil PNG and Fredrick Tamarua, Principal Legal Officer (International Law) - Department of Justice and Attorney General, Office of The State Solicitor. At the launch event, the new ambassadors were joined by Ernie Gangloff, Adjunct Professor, Independent Director and Consultant for an interesting and insightful panel discussion followed by Q&A to discuss Women Entrepreneurship and the Economic Advancement of Women.

Jo is in Papua New Guinea for a full week, and is incredibly excited for the visit, where she will also have the opportunity to meet entrepreneurship students at Universities, as well as local Chambers of Commerce and media. “I am so proud to announce that Inspiring Rare Birds is launching in Papua New Guinea,” Jo says. “With the support of Australian Government and this amazing group of local women leaders, we have announced three Ambassadors for the region, and are beginning the process of running our Mentoring and other programs to women across PNG. It is a very exciting time for our global expansion. Especially to a region that is sure to create high sustainable impact for future generations.”

For more information, or to secure an interview with Jo Burston, please contact Head of Marketing and Communications Simone Henderson-Smart: [email protected]