As the country prepares for the Bougainville Referendum expected in June 2019, the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute will be carrying out a research project on the topic.
The Bougainville Referendum is an important national event with significant implications for both PNG and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ABG).
The Referendum will determine whether ABG will gain independence or remain autonomous.
The aim of the project, launched today, is to generate research-based information for informing relevant stakeholders in order to ensure that the process and outcome of the Referendum is credible.
The research project will contribute to that process by undertaking a series of research studies and analysis of referendum issues, presenting and communicating that information to different audiences.
The PNG NRI has engaged former PNG NRI Director Dr Thomas Webster to lead the research project.
Dr Webster said the research will target Government officials for informed decision making in the preparations for the Referendum.
He said it will also target the wider public and especially the people and communities in Bougainville so that they can begin to have some critical robust discussions on what future they would like to have.
There’ll be six major studies conducted during 2017 and completed in the early part of 2018.
The research reports will be launched as and when they’re completed during that time.