In a world where obstacles often appear insurmountable, the journey of one Papua New Guinean continues to illuminate the power of resilience, education, and service.
For Mr Robert Parua, the path from a small village in Western Highlands to the grand halls of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris has been a long and inspiring one — marked by passion, perseverance, and purpose.
Last week, in a ceremony held on 18 October at the premises of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, Mr Parua was honoured with a medal and Certificate of Service Recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for his 30 years of distinguished service. UNESCO a specialized and technical agency of the United Nations.
The recognition symbolized more than personal achievement — it was a proud moment for Papua New Guinea and a testament to what commitment, dedication and belief in education can accomplish. Mr. Parus’s lifetime story offers a humanizing glimpse into Mr. Parua’s personal journey highlighting the balance between traditional expectations and the unconventional paths that redefine modern achievement. Mr. Parua was groomed and educated during the colonial era and he was shaped through the various stages of development and modernization in Papua New Guinea. Mr, Parua’s success is a reminder that humility, family and Christian values remain important to him despite the immense exposure and wealth of international experience and skills acquired over the 30 year career. Mr. Parua was breed of a home grown University of Papua New Guinea that was able to meet the demands of competitive globalized world.
Mr. Parua, who currently serves as Education Programme Advisor at the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt, flew from Cairo to Paris to receive his medal and certificate in person from the Deputy -Director -General of UNESCO.
Standing in the same building where he began his UN journey three decades ago, he described the moment as both humbling and emotional — a full-circle reflection of service to humanity that began in 1994 when he was first appointed as a young professional at the Education Sector at UNESCO headquarters.
A Global Journey Rooted in Humble Beginnings
Born in March 1965, in Urunga Village, Kotna LLG, Dei District, Western Highlands Province, Robert Parua’s story is one deeply connected to Papua New Guinea’s post-independence aspirations.
He grew up during a time of change and nation-building, witnessing first-hand his father, Parua Kuri, serve as the pioneer leader and three-term Member of Parliament (1972–1987) for Dei Electorate.
Despite his father’s prominence, Robert’s upbringing was modest and grounded in strong christian and cultural values. He attributes much of his discipline and character to the German and Australian Lutheran missionaries under the auspices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG who established Kotna Lutheran Primary School, Kotna Rural Health Cente and later Kitip Lutheran Secondary School, where he was among the pioneer students when it opened in 1979.
“I owe much of my character to the moral foundation laid by the missionaries,” he often reflects. “They instilled faith, integrity, discipline and a belief that service to others defines true success.”
After completing high school, he pursued a Diploma in Secondary Teaching at Goroka Teachers College (then under the University of Papua New Guinea).
Graduating in 1985, he began teaching at Malabunga High School in East New Britain in 1986 — far from home, but full of purpose.
After three years, he transferred to Kombolopa High School in 1989, then to his alma mater Kitip High School in 1990.
His passion for education was unmistakable; he saw teaching not just as a career but as a calling. Many of his former students hold senior positions in public and private sector in PNG.
In 1991, the Education Department selected him to pursue a Bachelor of Education (In-Service) degree at the University of Papua New Guinea. Upon completing it in 1992, he joined the International Branch of the National Department of Education (NDOE) — coordinating Papua New Guinea’s engagement with UNESCO and matters related to Commonwealth Secretariat. Mr.Parua holds the Commonwealth Executive master’s degree in development planning and administration from the University College of the Caribbean. A post graduate programme designed by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) based in Canada.
It was this appointment that opened the door to a career to the outside world that would take him far beyond PNG’s borders to the four corners of the world.
Breaking Barriers — Joining UNESCO
In 1994, Robert Parua became the first Papua New Guinean ever appointed as a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris — a historic achievement since PNG joined UNESCO after Independence in 1975 no PNG national has worked at the UNESCO Headquarters.
He joined under UNESCO’s Young Professionals Programme, which recruits promising young talents under 30 years of age from under-represented member states who have less staff in the organization’s bureaucracy.
His appointment was strongly supported by then Secretary for Education, Mr. Jerry Tetaga, in 1994 whose endorsement helped pave the way.
At UNESCO Headquarters, Parua began his work in the Education Sector, focusing on teacher education, policy development, higher education programmes fostering, and international cooperation.
He played a key role in facilitating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Papua New Guinea and UNESCO, covering collaboration in education, science, and culture — an agreement that still guides bilateral cooperation today. During his tenure at UNESCO Headquarters, Mr. Parua pushed for the ratification of World Heritage Convention by PNG that eventually led to the nomination and approval of Kuk as the first world heritage site for PNG. He also facilitated the education planning initiative that trained PNG education Planners at UNESCO.
A Career of Global Service
Over the past three decades, Mr. Parua has served in multiple UNESCO Regional Offices around the world:
- 1998 – Apia, Samoa: Regional Office for the Pacific region
- 2000 – Amman, Jordan: National Office for Jordan and Iraq)
- 2009 – Kingston, Jamaica: Regional Office for the Caribbean region.
- 2016 – Beijing, China: Regional Office for East Asia
- 2024 – Cairo, Egypt: Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan (current posting)
In the UN system each UN agency has a specific mandate and UNESCO has the global mandate in Education, Sciences and Culture since it was established in 1946. UNESCO turning 80 years old in 2025. Under the mandate of UNESCO in education Mr. Parua was assigned to work closely with Ministries of Education, UN agencies, and development partners to provide education policy advice, facilitated capacity building, promoted knowledge sharing of best practices, enhanced standards, and facilitated international cooperation among countries in education and used UNESCO’s global mandate in education to strengthen education systems, promote inclusive education policies, planning and support Member Countries achieve key targets of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) — which aims to ensure quality education for all by 2030.
His expertise spans diverse fields such education sector policy, teacher education, planning, TVET and skills development, higher education, ICT in education, education for sustainable development, Literacy and adult education and education for sustainable development.
He has also in the many regional offices had contributed significantly to the expansion of UNESCO’s education knowledge networks, including ASPnet (Associated Schools Network), UNESCO Chairs, Community Learning Centres (CLCs), University networking, and TVET network (UNEVOC) promoting international best practices and international cooperation.
While based in UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia in Beijing for eight years,(2016-2024) apart from implementing UNESCO programmes in East Asia region, Mr. Parua also played a pivotal role in building academic bridges between Papua New Guinea and China institutions.
He facilitated partnerships between the University of Goroka and several leading Chinese institutions such as the Open University of China, Beijing Normal University, Shanghai Normal University, Shenzhen Polytechnic, and Shenzhen Open University.
He also strengthened ties with UNESCO Category II Centres in China — focusing on rural education, higher education, distance education and teacher education — laying a solid foundation for future collaboration and enhancing students and staff exchange programs.
Honoured in Paris — A Moment of Reflection
Receiving his medal and Certificate of Service Recognition at the premises of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris marked an emotional homecoming for Mr. Parua.
The ceremony was attended by the Director-General of UNESCO, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO colleagues and senior officials from UNESCO and the Education Sector — many of whom had worked with him at different stages of his long career.
“It felt like coming full circle,” he shared. “Thirty years ago, I walked into this building as a young professional from Papua New Guinea 30 years ago, unsure of what the future would hold. Standing here again, receiving this recognition, is indeed a great honor and reminds me of the value of persistence, faith, and humility.”
He also reflected on the challenges of representing a small island developing nation within the UN system, emphasizing that “commitment and competence always speak louder than background or nationality.”
His father viewed his appointment at a UN Agency as the culmination of years of hard work excellence, commitment and professional dedication and self-discipline. The 30 years of service to the United Nations and the world symbolized a traditional milestone of success and validation of his commitment to his profession. Despite Mr. Parua’s 30 years of service and success he admitted that his family’s initial pride was rooted in his determination and will to succeed despite all odds.
Championing the UN and the Next Generation
Mr. Parua remains deeply committed to encouraging young Papua New Guineans to pursue international careers at the various UN Agencies and development agencies.
He is among only a handful of Papua New Guineans currently serving across UN agencies worldwide — in Port Moresby, Geneva, Suva, Rome, and New York.
“There are many job opportunities in the UN system — from junior professional to senior expert and consultant levels,” he said.
“Any PNG citizen with a postgraduate degree can apply. Our country is underrepresented in the bureaucracies of many UN Agencies, so I encourage young professionals to be bold, apply, and serve on the world stage.”
His message is clear and inspiring: “The sky is the limit for PNG youth. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and one day you too can work for the United Nations.”
Advice to Government and Legacy Ahead
With over three decades in international service, Mr. Parua believes the PNG Government can better utilize the technical expertise of UN agencies. He emphasized that the UN Sustainable development Cooperation framework (UNSDCF) in each country is very important for UN agencies to work closely with the Government to achieve the key target of the 17 SDGs by 2030. The next five years is an opportunity and critical for PNG to work closely with the UN to achieve the key social, economic, and environmental targets by 2030. The Government should partner with UN to design a comprehensive technical and vocational skills training Programme that could empower our unemployed youth to be productive in society.
He urges national leaders to strengthen collaboration and enhance the engagement with the UN system to improve policy formulation, institutional capacity, and governance frameworks — aligning national development goals with UN standards and protocols. Countries that have followed the UN advice and standards have brought prosperity to their people. During his 30 years Career, Mr. Parua in his capacity had contributed in the several field offices in achieving the education goals during the MDGs and now the SDGs period.
“As 2030 approaches, PNG must accelerate its partnership with UN agencies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” he advises.
“The UN’s technical expertise must be utilized to the fullest extent to ensure that PNG achieves the key targets of the 17 SDGs by 2030 to elevate PNG Middle Income Country. The PNG Government can rely on the UN as a source of inspiration and source of knowledge, innovation for socio-economic development” so no one is left behind.
Looking ahead to his eventual retirement, Mr. Parua hopes to return home to Western Highlands and dedicate his time to community-based education and skills empowerment programmes, particularly targeting rural children, youth and women.
He envisions establishing local initiatives that integrate skills training, sustainable livelihoods, and lifelong learning — continuing his lifelong mission of using education as a tool for empowerment and development.
A True Son of Papua New Guinea
At 59 years old, with a distinguished record of global service, Mr. Parua remains as passionate about education as he was when he began teaching at Malabunga High School in East New Britian nearly forty years ago.
His journey — from the classrooms of Kitip to the corridors of UNESCO — stands as a beacon of what Papua New Guineans can achieve through dedication, faith, and hard work.
As he walked through the UNESCO Headquarters premises in Paris after receiving his recognition, he paused to look at the familiar marble corridors and said quietly,
“This medal and certificate of recognition is not just for me — it is for my country, my family, my teachers, and every Papua New Guinean who believes that education is key and hope that can change lives.”
Indeed, Robert Parua’s name now stands among those who have dedicated their lives to building a better, contributing to humanity, more educated world — and his voice for education, equality, and opportunity will continue to echo long after his service ends.
Leave a Reply