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.
Sixteen Solomon Islanders and Australians recently convened in Honiara from 22-23 November for a Pacific Connect Network Dialogue. The purpose of the event was to discuss how improved digital connectivity in the Solomon Islands can enable a greater choice of educational opportunities, and for participants to meet and expand their networks.
Pacific Connect is calling for expressions of interest from ambitious, accomplished and forward-thinking individuals to join its Network Dialogue in Brisbane on 17-20 February 2019 to discuss the role of women in business and digital delivery.
The conversation on digital trade is a vital one for Australia’s future. The question of where the jobs of the future will be create is often raised at community forums, but economists are better at identifying the jobs that will disappear. Jobs will come from plugging into Asian supply chains, exploiting the region’s growing prosperity and by ensuring that more Australians have the skills to meet the needs of the expanding Asian middle class.
We, the participants of the Pacific Connect Network Dialogue, met in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Thursday, 22 November and Friday, 23 November 2018 at the invitation of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships (ICDP). The Dialogue was co-facilitated by Dr Ian Watt AC, Mr Peter Fritz AM and Mr Peter Kenilorea Jnr and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
As APEC closes in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Pacific regional governments consider the growing options for sourcing infrastructure funding for their nations, greater focus is needed on soft infrastructure, digital systems and digital skills empowerment in the Pacific. ICDP recently caught up with Mr Sampson to discuss Digital Pacific initiatives and his views on digital adaption in the region.
Pacific colleagues must collaborate to maximise the impact of connectivity in the region
and make technology work for its citizens and communities. The Pacific Connect Forum
welcomes emerging Pacific leaders who are not only ‘tech savvy’ but are open-minded
and willing to forge unity between Pacific Islands.
The Australian Government is determined to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners in the South Pacific across the Indo-Pacific region. Australia has longstanding and ongoing connections to the Pacific, and the Forum has assembled a remarkable group of people to further these relationships.
