ARCHER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EMPOWERING YOUNG PNG ELITES

CAPTION: Archer Leadership Development Program 2026 intakes.

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL
THE Archer Leadership Development Program continues to develop the human resources of Papua New Guinea by building the young elites, who are passionate about bringing social change to their communities.

The program is facilitated by the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) with support from Perpetual limited, kina bank limited and Canada. Established its 2011, the program has 140 alumnae who are now mentors to the next generation of archers.

Last week, the program welcomed its new 12 intakes, comprising of students from the PNG university of Technology (Unitech), University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Pacific Adventist University and the Innovative University of Enga.
According to KTF CEO, Dr Genevieve Nelson, the program is more than just an education scholarship, it is about empowering young people.

She adds that the archer program, over the past 16 years has developed young, civic-minded leaders through mentoring, training, and a 12-day exchange program to Australia.

This newsroom had the pleasure of witnessing the young elites in action on the evening of the welcome of the 2026 new intakes and the farewell of the 2025 intakes on 19th February.

The Archer Leadership Development Program have equipped the young Papua New Guineans with confidence, public speaking, and professional skills, and a drive to make a change in their communities.

Dr Nelson also adds that aside from empowering young people, the KTF is also helping to empower rural communities in Oro, New Ireland and the National Capital, with plans to reach out the other regions in the country as well.