Getting Connected in the South Pacific

The Getting Connected in the South Pacific exchange consisted of a two-way exchange for policy and technology experts from the South Pacific and U.S. to explore the impact of increased Internet connectivity on economic and social development. The inbound exchange to the U.S. focused on increasing engagement for government and private sector representatives and increasing knowledge sharing and best practices. Participants in this exchange joined virtual and in-person meetings with American policy and technology experts to exchange ideas and strategies for implementing policy planning. The first of two outbound events took place in New Zealand where participants attended workshops on digital works, addressing food insecurity, labor issues, and broadband mapping and planning. The second outbound event took place in Samoa where participants engaged with FBI veteran Patrick Geahan for a variety of cybersecurity trainings. 

Program alumna, Ana Mules from New Zealand, pictured above, engaged with government officers, policy makers, and internet providers during the exchange to learn about barriers to internet access shared by communities in the U.S. and the South Pacific, barriers such as affordability, infrastructure deficits, digital literacy gaps and digital services development. Ana served as the Community Devel-opment Advisor at the Far North District Council in New Zealand and believes that connectivity has the potential to enable strategic economic and social transformation. During this exchange, Ana challenged the mindsets of traditional communities in New Zealand when it comes to adopting the Internet and continues to dedicate her work with the Digital Enablement Group to improving digital connectivity and capability in the Northland region.