Human Capital and Power Projection: Economic and Strategic Choices

By Francis Hualupmomi
Human capital is one of the most important factors in power projection in a world driven by knowledge-based economy. For PNG to project power in the region given its current economic growth rate, economizing human capital in strategic positions will incur high dividend returns.
It appears that the most important events coinciding with the current economic boom are human capital development and national security. Theoretically, economic and military are the most important intertwined factors in projecting power of the state and its co-existence in the international system govern by ‘rule of the jungle’. Economic and military are both opposite functions of state. That simply means military protect economic wealth and economic wealth build military power, hence projecting power of the state. However, this does not preclude the role of internal security (Police). Police also play an important supporting role in national security.
There are several important scenarios projected in human capital development, however, in this article I intend to focus on economic and strategic (security) scenarios consistent with current economic boom and Vision 2050.
PNG is currently experiencing an economic boom as a result of an unprecedented mining and petroleum activity compounded with construction industry, which will continue in the next 30-50 years. There is also a growing global demand of energy supply by industrialized countries, especially in Asia and Europe consolidated with high domestic demand for human capital in particular, blue collar supply. In my projection security personals and diplomats in the mining and petroleum industry are also important in the next 5-10 years.
The LNG projects and other mining projects will be the engine of economic growth which will require a comprehensive massification of human capital. It is forecasted that a supply of 50,000 human capital within the first 5 years is necessary to develop and operationalise the high impact projects coming on stream. Specialists are required to implement these projects. Specialized fields in science and technology should be the driving force.
With PNG gaining prominence in global market economy, international political economy of trade will become important. In a world of complex interdependence driven by positive zero-sum and non-zero sum games, PNG needs specialized trained diplomats to strategically position its national interest in geoeconomic markets. In addition, strategic thinkers will play an important role in analyzing geopolitical and geostrategic implications in positioning our interest in global market economy.
There is also a need to protect economic benefits in the LNG projects and other mining projects over the coming years. Recently, the Japanese government warned PNG to beef up its security system in order to maximize the opportunities projected from mining and petroleum projects. Protection of economic wealth is necessary to sustain the current continuous rapid growth.
However, the current situation is that there is ‘deficiency’ in human capital supply in these specialized fields. In a state of defunct, both public and private universities and colleges lack capacity to meet demand and supply due to lack of past governments support. There is weak security system to protect the economic benefits – “A new garden without a fence is vulnerable to wild animals”. The LNG projects and other mining projects depend on thinkers and implementers. In order to project power in the region some strategic choices have to be made by the government:
Economic scenario
1. Upgrade public universities and technical colleges;
2. co-opting few private institutions in consistent with international quality assurance best practices;
3. design designated specialized science and technological programs as national projects with the assistant from external sources;
4. establish cross border training and education partnership with key institutions;
5. Increase international scholarships in research, science and technology in prestigious colleges and universities;
6. industry alliance – government through Office of Higher Education coordinates graduates placement in industries;
7. establish diplomatic corps training centre in University of PNG (UPNG) or Public Administration College or a separate entity managed by Foreign Affairs and Trade; and
8. international training in diplomacy in strategic countries.
Strategic and Security Scenario
1. Modernize defence force capacity and capability through increase of defence personal ratio and modernized assets with precision to mend and fend of real or potential threats;
2. establish an Institute of International Security and International Studies (ISIS) designated in providing timely and quality policy advice to government. This could be either situated within UPNG or National Research Institute or a an independent entity of state;
3. introduce military cadet program in secondary schools and existing national high schools;
4. establish and continue to maintain security and strategic ties with key regional partners in capacity building;
5. modernize police force;
6. reintroduce police program in universities;
7. reintroduce direct Police Cadet Training with focus on University Graduates’ and;
8. National Intelligence Organization should be strengthened and modernized.
Although it may be an expensive exercise, in the long run will it pays a massive dividends in return.
In sum, PNG can project power in the region if it can utilize its economic wealth to increase investment in specialized human capital in science and technology and build strategic and security capacity and capability.