Carol Kidu DBE Dr (Hons)

Dame Carol Kidu has lived in Papua New Guinea for over 40 years with her extended family of Pari Village of the Motu tribe.  Her deep knowledge of a culture different from her birth culture gives her a unique understanding of the uncomfortable interface between tradition and modernity.   Dame Carol was widowed in 1994 – her late husband was the first indigenous Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea.

Dame Carol, a teacher by profession, was elected to the National Parliament in 1997.  She served as a Shadow Minister, Minister for Community Development and when she retired in the 2012 elections she was Leader of the Opposition.  She focused on a human rights based approach to development inclusive of marginalized and vulnerable populations. 

Dame Carol has been awarded three Honorary Doctorates.  She was awarded Dame of the British Empire in 2005; the PNG International Woman of Courage Award by the Secretary of State of the United States of America in 2007; Pacific Person of the Year in 2007; the Pacific Human Rights Award for her contribution to promoting the rights of Pacific Islanders in 2008; and the French Cross of Knight in the Order of the Legion d’Honneur in 2009. 

Since retiring from politics, she has continued as an international advocate on human rights issues.  She has established CK Consulting Ltd. which is developing community engagement methodologies for sustainable development.