Luang prabang: Senior public sector officials from Laos and Vietnam gathered in Luang Prabang last week for the post-course colloquium of the Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP) Trilateral Masterclass: Leadership for Responsible Public Administration – Navigating Transformations. Held from 9 to 11 September 2026, the workshop marked the culmination of a practical, immersive programme designed to blend academic insight with real-world public sector experience.
According to Lao News Agency, the colloquium gave young Mekong leaders a platform to present their work-based projects, share lessons learned, and highlight key outcomes across critical areas. These included smart village development, digital transition, anti-money laundering frameworks, innovation, and one-stop shops for investment facilitation.
Speaking at the event, Kate Goodfruit, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy to the Lao PDR, underscored Australia’s enduring commitment to the region. “Our relationships with Laos and Vietnam are longstanding and grounded in mutual respect, close people-to-people connections, and a shared interest in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Mekong subregion,” Kate Goodfruit said. She encouraged participants to embrace openness regarding both their achievements and obstacles, noting that managing institutional transformation successfully relies on trust, communication, empathy, and accountability.
Launched in 2020, the Mekong-Australia Partnership aims to address shared transboundary challenges, build regional leadership skills, and strengthen economic resilience. Participants praised the cross-border learning environment for fostering both regional cooperation and practical insights.
Mr Lamphoune Luangxay, Director General of the Department of Teacher and Educational Administration Development within the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, noted the value of the network established during the initiative. “We learned what responsive public administration means to us as public officials from the experts and among the participants,” said Mr Lamphoune. “Apart from that, we have a network of people we can cooperate with in this area for further regional development.”
Echoing this sentiment, Vietnamese participant Mr Xuyen Hoang Le highlighted the practical focus of the training. “The course offered great opportunities for Lao and Vietnamese participants to study and work together on leadership theories and models,” he said. “Participants will apply this knowledge effectively in their fields when they return to their offices, driving their organisations forward.”
Organisers noted that the success of this programme will be measured not only by what you have learned during the Masterclass, but also by how you apply that learning, share it with your colleagues, and translate it into stronger institutions and a better public service.