The objectives of the CSS-PLP (Samoa) partnership are:- Promote a culture of discussion, debate and dialogue on current issues which affect modern and future developments in Samoa.- Conduct research in the aforementioned areas.

With funding from the PLP (Samoa), the CSS hosts public discussions where panel speakers are invited to present a paper on the discussion topic (usually a development issue) after which members of the general audience are invited to ask questions. The moderator facilitates the presentations and subsequent discussions, lasting approximately three hours.

The Centre for Samoan Studies (CSS) hosts a series of public discussions sponsored by the Pacific Leadership Program (Samoa). These discussions address a wide range of topics including development issues that pertain to governance, law and custom in Samoa.Previous seminars have covered the following topics:- sui faiga ae tumau faavae (Practices change but foundations remain)- Customary land tenure and economic development- Gender equality in Samoa- Education and development in Samoa

The PLP is chaired by the Minister of Justice and reports its activities and financial expenditure to the PLP regional office in Suva, Fiji. The Director for the Centre for Samoan Studies at the National University of Samoa heads the implementation of the partnership and reports to the PLP (Samoa).

Australian Government, Centre for Samoan Studies