Ms Lisa Crawford PSM served as the Australian Co-Manager of the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime from April 2014 – March 2017. A retired Public Servant, Ms Crawford is now a ceramic artist based in Regional NSW, Australia. Her material-led practice reflects her enduring engagement with people and culture in Asia and is grounded in the textures and landscape of the Tweed Valley. She joined the Australian Public Service in 2004, and was assigned to several foreign postings, including Afghanistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Throughout her Public Service career, she was awarded the Australian Public Service Medal, an Operational Service Medal (Civilian), and an Australia Day Award. She completed her Bachelor of Business (Information Systems, Economics) at Swinburne University of Technology, Postgraduate Diploma (Economics) and Master of Business Administration at La Trobe University, Australia and, Graduate Certificate (Evaluation) at Melbourne University, Australia. She has also completed a certificate of Russian Studies at Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Russia, and Diploma of Ceramics at TAFE NSW, Australia.

What were some of the key achievements and outcomes over your time as Co-Manager of the RSO?

• Led the development of the organisation’s first strategic plan, setting clear priorities and positioning the RSO for sustained regional impact.
• Introduced and embedded secondment programs from member states, enhancing knowledge exchange, trust, and operational alignment across the region.
• Produced policy frameworks and quick reference guides to support frontline practitioners, translating complex policy into accessible, actionable resources.
• Elevated the RSO’s profile as a trusted, credible platform for regional cooperation, engagement, and capacity building.

How did Bali Process Member States come together around different regional priorities, and what was the RSO able to contribute?

Bali Process Member States came together through structured, state-led dialogue that respected national sovereignty while creating space for candid discussion on shared challenges. This approach enabled countries to acknowledge both the strengths and limitations of existing regional responses, and to identify common priorities despite differing national contexts. Within this environment, member states were able to work collaboratively on practical solutions to complex issues such as civil registration, privacy and data protection, victim identification and awareness, and information sharing, advancing areas of cooperation that had not previously been realised at a regional level. The Regional Support Office (RSO) played a pivotal role in supporting this process. It provided technical expertise, facilitated discussions, and developed policy and operational resources that informed decision-making. In doing so, the RSO helped translate dialogue into tangible outcomes, strengthening the region’s collective capacity to respond to transnational challenges.

Reflecting on your time as Co-Manager of the RSO, what are the most significant insights and enduring lessons you gained about effective regional cooperation and bridging policy dialogue with actionable initiatives?

My time as Co-Manager of the RSO reinforced that effective regional cooperation is grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a clear focus on shared interests. Durable outcomes are not achieved through prescriptive approaches, but by creating space for countries to lead, contribute, and shape solutions that reflect their own priorities. A key lesson was the importance of bridging policy dialogue with practical application. High-level discussions only gain traction when supported by tangible tools, technical guidance, and direct engagement with practitioners. Effective initiatives depend on translating complex policy into clear, usable frameworks that can be implemented on the ground. The RSO’s ability to remain member-driven, while providing structured support and expertise, was central to its effectiveness. I also learned that alongside sustained engagement, flexibility and responsiveness are critical. Regional priorities evolve, requiring the RSO to adapt quickly while maintaining strategic direction. This approach fostered open dialogue, deeper cooperation, and a willingness among member states to engage on sensitive and complex issues.