A Connected Pacific: Building a Unified Digital Voice
DCN Pacific Islands Launch | December 10-11, 2024 | Nadi, Fiji Islands
The Digital Communication Network (DCN) is hosting an event in Fiji dedicated to advancing digital development across the Pacific islands. Scheduled for December 10-11, 2024, the DCN Pacific Islands Hub Launch aims to support a unified digital voice for the Pacific, addressing the region's unique challenges while embracing emerging opportunities. This gathering will bring together key experts, influencers, and stakeholders to collaborate, exchange ideas, and strategize for a digitally empowered future for the Pacific.
The forum
The event will kick off with an address on the impact of the digital revolution on the Pacific Islands, emphasizing the region's need for a cohesive digital strategy. Participants will then dive into various interactive sessions covering essential topics, including combating disinformation, promoting environmental communication, and enhancing digital literacy within Pacific communities. These sessions will take the form of talks, panels, and workshops to provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Opportunities for creative engagement will be offered through collaborative labs and peer-to-peer learning sessions,designed to encourage innovation and the practical application of new skills. Attendees will work together to develop actionable strategies and solutions that can be implemented within their communities.
DCN PACIFIC ISLANDS
The event will also emphasize strategic initiatives and partnerships that DCN can support to ensure sustainable digital development in the region. Discussions will focus on identifying key areas for DCN’s involvement, laying the groundwork for future activities that meet the specific needs of the Pacific islands.
Join us as we collaborate to create a stronger digital presence for the Pacific Islands.
The forum is organized by World Learning and Digital Communication Network Global with funding from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 10 - 11
DAY 1
Kava Ceremony
Introduction and Opening Remarks
Moderator: Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, TheFutureCats Innovation Consultancy, Greece
Building a Digital Voice for the Islands: What Does it Mean
Pua Hunter, Director of the GFCE Pacific Hub, Cook Islands
Bridging the Digital Divide: Advancing Connectivity for Inclusive Growth in Rural and Underserved Areas
Lenora Leota, Chief Executive Officer at Bluewave Wireless Ltd., Samoa
The Pacific Leading The Way in the Digital Economy
Stan Wolfgramm MNZM, Cultural Sustainability Entrepreneur, CEO Drum Productions
Digital Transformation and Digital Governance
Moderator: Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor to the Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of Government Hellenic Republic, Greece.
- Calvin Ziru, Commissioner, Telecommunications Commission of SI, Solomon Islands
- Michelle Jerewai, Manager Information Dissemination, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Papua New Guinea
Coffee Break
Preparing Citizens for Digital Transformation
Moderator: Diana Filimon, DCN Global Team Member, Romania
- Dr. Pritika Reddy, Assistant Professor, Department of Computing Sciences and Information Systems, Fiji National University, Fiji
- Songo Nore, Policy Analyst/Researcher with NetMission.Asia's Asia Pacific Policy Observatory (APPO) and Executive Officer/Consultant to the Inaugural Chairman of the inaugural Communications and Information Technology Board for Morobe Provincial Government, Papua New Guinea
Cybersecurity Threats and Solutions: Global and Local Experience Dealing with Threats
Moderator: Anna Mysyshyn, Director of the Institute of Innovative Governance, Ukraine
- Calvin Ziru, Commissioner, Telecommunications Commission of SI, Solomon Islands
Lunch
Parallel Workshops
- Attention Grabbing Podcasts | Jason Hoch, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Wavland, U.S.
- Video Storytelling | Anastazja Debowska, Video Content Strategist ex-Strategic Partner, Ma Nastia LTD ex-YouTube & Google, U.K.
- Digital Content Creation | Marianna Tanagia, Communications Director, DCN Global, Greece
Coffee Break
Brainstorming Session Part 1
Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, TheFutureCats Innovation Consultancy, Greece
DAY 2
Geopolitical Global Context and the Impact of the Digital Transformation
Moderator: Diana Filimon, DCN Global Team Member, Romania
- Blake Johnson, Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia
- Dr. Jackie Kerr, Senior Research Fellow for Defense and Technology Future, Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) at National Defense University (NDU), U.S.
Digital Democracy and Digital Citizenship in the Islands of the Pacific
Moderator: Marianna Tanagia, Communications Director, DCN Global, Greece
- Joleen Ngoriakl, Founder, Digital Citizenship Initiative, Palau
- Sushil Kumar, Professor of Physics and Director of Research, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Coffee break
Combating Disinformation and Digital Literacy
Moderator: Diana Filimon, DCN Global Team Member, Romania
- Dr. Pritika Reddy, Assistant Professor, Department of Computing Sciences and Information Systems, Fiji National University, Fiji
- Samantha Bradshaw, Assistant Professor, American University School of International Service, U.S.
- Rut Rismanta Silalahi, Assistant Professor of Communication, UPN Veteran Jakarta; Co-Founder, REDAXI, Indonesia
Environmental Activism
Ann Adeline Dumaliang, Ashoka Fellow, National Geographic Explorer, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Philippines
What Does it Take to be an Influencer
- Shania Singh, Director of Streetsmart Media Fiji (Digital Media Marketing), Fiji
- Isikeli Savu, Director of Streetsmart Media Fiji (Digital Media Marketing), Fiji
Lunch Break
Parallel Workshops
- Digital Citizens in the Making: Where Media Literacy Meets Youth Empowerment | Rut Rismanta Silalahi, Assistant Professor of Communication, UPN Veteran Jakarta; Co-Founder, REDAXI, Indonesia
- Environmental Digital Activism | Ann Adeline Dumaliang, Ashoka Fellow, National Geographic Explorer, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Philippines
Coffee Break
Brainstorming Session Part 2
Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, TheFutureCats Innovation Consultancy, Greece
What the Technological Future Holds: The Impact of AI
- Anna Mysyshyn, Director of the Institute of Innovative Governance, Ukraine
- Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, TheFutureCats Innovation Consultancy, Greece
Speakers
