Michael Somare

Overview: Founding, three-time, and current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea; knighted by Pope John Paul II and the Queen of England; world leader.

Date of Birth: 09 April 1936
Place of Birth: Rabaul, East New Britain Province
Marital Status: Married with five children and 8 grandchildren
Elected Office: Regional Member of Parliament for East Sepik Province.

SUMMARY ACHIEVEMENTS
1957-1967 Broadcasting Officer & Teacher
1968 Elected to House of Assembly
1975-1981 First Prime Minister of PNG
1981-1982 Leader of the Opposition
1982-1985 Re-elected Prime Minister of PNG
1985-1987 Leader of the Opposition
1987-1996 Continual election to Parliament and continued to hold senior public offices
1996 Formed National Alliance
1999-2001 Minister for Mining & Bougainville Affairs
2001-2002 Leader of the Opposition
2002-Current Prime Minister of PNG

HONOURS AND AWARDS
1977: Appointed a Privy Councilor by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
1978: Made a Companion of Honours (CH)
1991: Made Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG)
1992: Pontifical Knighthood by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II, Knight of the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great (GCEG)
1994: Made Knight of Justice, Order of Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (KSt.J)
2005 Made Grand Chief, Grand Companion in the Order of Logohu (GCL)

HONORARY AWARDS
1976: Conferred Doctorate of Humanities (Honoris Causa) University of the Philippines, Leiciana, Philippines
1978: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) Australian National University, Canberra, NCT, Australia
1978: Conferred Doctorate of South Pacific (Honoris Causa), University of South Pacific Suva, Fiji
1983: Conferred Doctorate of Technology (Honoris Causa) University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea
1985: Conferred Doctorate of Laws (LLD) (Honoris Causa) University of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
1991: Conferred, Doctorate of Letters (Honoris Causa) University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, September 2006