I recently attended my first Pacific Connect Dialogue with the wonderful members of ICDP and GAP. We had an interesting dialogue on women in business and digital delivery in the Pacific Islands. The discussions focused on challenges faced by business women using IT in their daily lives, be it for work, education or pleasure, and what that means for their businesses, children and families as well as society.
The dialogue gave me clarity on my views for the future of what women in business could achieve to contribute in our own countries and within our local communities. I believe if all like-minded women were given this opportunity, it would pave the way for future leaders being empowered by a great support network.
A warm and welcoming hug by the distinguished Special Advisor for ICDP, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu from Samoa, set the tone for the Pacific Connect dialogue that took place in Brisbane recently.
We, the participants of the Pacific Connect Network Dialogue on Pacific Women in Business and Digital Delivery, convened on 17-20 February 2019 in Brisbane, Australia at the invitation of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP). The Dialogue was supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Minister for Fisheries, Mr Semi Koroilavesau recently officiated at the launching of Traseable Solutions, a Fijian traceability technology start-up founded by the Katafonos in October 2017.
Our monthly Digital Pacific Update offers a snapshot of some of the exciting technological developments happening in the region. This month, we look at further developments throughout the Blue Economy, advancements in Pacific agricultural development, coral gardening and Pacific culture in outer space.
Over 30 accomplished and enthusiastic delegates will meet in Brisbane, Australia next week for Pacific Connect’s next Network Dialogue, which focuses on ‘Pacific Women in Business and Digital Delivery’.
Over a two-week period in January of this year, I was fortunate enough to undertake a two-week intensive language and culture course at Beijing Institute of Technology. Having studied Mandarin throughout high school and university, it was a fantastic opportunity to spend a short time understanding cross-cultural challenges, cultures and language differences with real-world practical experience.
From a personal perspective, it is always humbling to be in the presence of intelligent and driven individuals. To quote from one of my recent blogs: “The energy, enthusiasm and calibre of participants was evident from the new networks and friendships created, and the discussions and potential projects identified to take forward. It was a pleasure to observe and take part in such positive and action-oriented forums.”
Blockchain opened many doors for TraSeable and gave us amazing international coverage since we started working with it. Our project with the WWF became the first of its kind in the longline fishery in the World. We helped form the Fiji Blockchain Community and have run blockchain events in Suva and contribute to other projects in the Pacific.
