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
DAY 1
Introduction and Opening Remarks
Building a Digital Voice for the Islands: What Does it Mean
Pua Hunter, Director of the GFCE Pacific Hub, Cook Islands
Pacific Public Sector Media and Digital Transformation – Conversations for a 2050 World
Lisa Williams-Lahari, Public Affairs Advisor, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Fiji
Improving Internet Accessibility in the Islands of the Pacific
Lenora Leota, Chief Executive Officer at Bluewave Wireless Ltd., Samoa
Digital Transformation and Digital Governance
- Michelle Jerewai, Manager Information Dissemination, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Papua New Guinea
- Calvin Ziru, Commissioner, Telecommunications Commission of SI, Solomon Islands
Coffee Break
Preparing Citizens for Digital Transformation
- 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
- Anna Mysyshyn, Director of the Institute of Innovative Governance, Ukraine
- Calvin Ziru, Commissioner, Telecommunications Commission of SI, Solomon Islands
Lunch
Parallel Workshops
- Digital Content Creation | Leanne Jorari, Public Affairs Officer, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Fiji
- Video Storytelling | Anastazja Debowska, Video Content Strategist ex-Strategic Partner, Ma Nastia LTD ex-YouTube & Google, U.K.
- Attention Grabbing Podcasts | Jason Hoch, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Wavland, U.S.
- Legacy Media Transformation | Lice Movono, Journalist & Communications Specialist, Fiji
Coffee Break
Brainstorming Session Part 1
Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor to the Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of Government Hellenic Republic, Greece
DAY 2
Geopolitical Global Context and the Impact of the Digital Transformation
- Blake Johnson, Senior Analyst, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Australia
- Cleo Paskal, Non-Resident Senior Fellow for the Indo-Pacific, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), U.S.
- 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
- Joleen Ngoriakl, Founder, North Pacifikan Company, Palau
- Sushil Kumar, Professor of Physics and Director of Research, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji
- Lice Movono, Journalist & Communications Specialist, Fiji
Coffee break
Combating Disinformation and Digital Literacy
- 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
Lunch Break
Parallel Workshops
- Using Digital Tools to Support Entrepreneurs and Economic Development | Judith Rodriguez, Independent Entrepreneur, French Polynesia
- 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
- Transforming Media Landscape | Lice Movono, Journalist & Communications Specialist, Fiji
- 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, Advisor to the Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of Government Hellenic Republic, Greece
What the Technological Future Holds: The Impact of AI
- Anna Mysyshyn, Director of the Institute of Innovative Governance, Ukraine
- Dimitris Dimitriadis, Futurist, Advisor to the Special Secretary for Strategic Foresight, Presidency of Government Hellenic Republic, Greece
Speakers
