Deep Dive: Dr. Ben Carson to visit Port Moresby for PNG Leaders Seminar in July amid concerns over event pricing

Papua New Guinea (PNG), located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is a nation of over 800 islands and a diverse population of more than 8 million people speaking over 800 languages, making it one of the most culturally heterogeneous countries globally. Port Moresby, the capital, serves as the political and economic hub but grapples with significant socioeconomic challenges, including high youth unemployment rates often exceeding 50% in urban areas and a rising cost of living driven by inflation and import dependency. The announcement of Dr. Ben Carson's (a prominent American figure known for his neurosurgery expertise and past role as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development) visit for the PNG Leaders Seminar highlights efforts to bring international speakers to inspire local leaders, yet the event's paywalled access raises questions about inclusivity in a context where economic disparities are stark. From a geopolitical lens, the U.S. maintains strategic interests in the Pacific to counterbalance China's growing influence through infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative in PNG. Figures like Carson, with his conservative background and ties to evangelical networks, could symbolize soft power outreach, appealing to PNG's Christian-majority population and business elites. The Leaders Seminar likely targets government officials, corporate leaders, and influencers, positioning Carson's 'gifted hands' narrative—referencing his surgical prowess—as motivational for leadership development amid PNG's resource-rich but governance-challenged landscape, including issues like corruption and tribal conflicts. Cross-border implications extend to the broader Indo-Pacific region, where PNG's stability affects Australia's security (as its nearest neighbor and major aid donor) and U.S. alliances under frameworks like the Quad. High event costs may exacerbate perceptions of elitism, potentially alienating youth who represent PNG's demographic bulge (over 60% under 25), limiting the seminar's impact on grassroots leadership. For global audiences, this underscores tensions between inspirational international events and local economic realities, where access to knowledge becomes a privilege rather than a right. Looking ahead, the seminar could foster U.S.-PNG ties in health and education sectors, given Carson's background, but success hinges on broader accessibility. Stakeholders include PNG's government seeking foreign investment, U.S. networks promoting conservative values, and local media like Post Courier amplifying the story. Nuanced outcomes depend on whether pricing barriers hinder diverse participation, influencing long-term diplomatic and cultural exchanges in a region pivotal to global supply chains for liquefied natural gas and minerals.