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People connections in the Pacific

People connections in the Pacific

This page gives an overview of Australia's work in the People Connections sector, which aims to enhance stability by helping to build the resilience of Pacific people and their communities.

Australia's people-to-people connections with our Pacific family are as important as ever, as we work together to respond to the pandemic’s impacts.

Australia is working with Pacific partners to reinforce people-to-people links across our region through expanded sports, education, media, cultural and church partnerships.

These programs place people at the heart of Australia's partnerships in the Pacific. While the scale and impact of the pandemic globally meant delays to some planned activities and events, our people-to-people programs regained momentum in 2022, with renewed energy and a fresh focus on digital delivery, innovation and flexibility.

Partnerships


Sports partnerships

Australia and the Pacific have a shared passion for sport. PacificAus Sports brings us even closer, by unlocking the high-performance potential in our talented regional sports community. Team Up supports grassroots sport programs that attract women, girls and people with a disability, as well as men and boys, supporting them to realise their full potential through sport.

Footy players playing footy

Church partnerships

Churches play a profound role in Pacific island communities. The Pacific Church Partnerships Program provides a unique opportunity to engage with Pacific Island church leaders on development outcomes in the Pacific region and strengthen partnerships with Australian church and church-based development leaders.

Decorative image - Group photo of people in church.

Education partnerships

Investing in better education outcomes for all children and youth across the Pacific has been a long-standing objective of Australia's aid program. Our education investments are guided by the Pacific’s Regional Education Framework (PacREF) which outlines a shared, regional education reform agenda among Pacific regional organisations and national education systems up to 2030. Working collaboratively with Pacific education partners is central to our approach.

Group photo of several people with lanyards wearing identification tags. Decorative image.

Media partnerships in the pacific

Australia works closely with Pacific media to create high quality original content, improve broadcasting infrastructure and to build professional media networks. This is delivered through Australia's long-standing Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).

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Pacific Engagement Visa

Boosting Pacific permanent migration to Australia is an essential part of our plan to build a stronger Pacific family. The Pacific Engagement Visa will grow Australia’s Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora and encourage greater cultural, business, investment, and educational exchange.

Senator the Hon Penny Wong Minister for Foreign Affairs - Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Week

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