Three law students from the UPNG Law School have now embarked on the Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) Legal Internship Program (LIP), as they seek to bolster the functions of the local anti-corruption body.
Third and fourth year Law Students; Rhonda Tevlone, Melvia Lyandenge and Alois Sinen, officially joined TIPNG’s LIP on December 2nd for an internship which will continue from December through to February.
TIPNG Executive Director, Arianne Kassman, welcomed the interns during their orientation on Monday, adding that their input over the next eight weeks would not only be crucial in reinforcing the functions of TIPNG, but would also provide them with a unique opportunity for growth as legal professionals.
“It is our sincere hope that the conversations you will have the opportunity of being a part of in the coming weeks will help to supplement your formal training from the UPNG Law school; by presenting you with ways to ensure justice in matters relating to corruption both at the personal and institutional level,” said Kassman.
“We hope through your time with us, that we may be able to help you build a strong ethos as professionals and to set you on the path to becoming resilient agents in the fight against corruption and to facilitate true justice for our people.”
During the 8 week program, the interns will be required to assist two of TIPNG’s core projects;
- The Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) where they will be registering corruption complaints and facilitating referrals through mainline government agencies such as the police,
- and the Policy & Advocacy Program, where they will be reviewing legislations and providing legal briefs as well as reviewing ongoing issues of corruption.
The trio are now the third cohort of UPNG Law students to come through the program under an ongoing arrangement between TIPNG and the University of PNG, Law School.