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 closer together. It is a sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. Team Up is a sport for development program using sport to bring people together, champion inclusion and create opportunity, with a focus on attracting women, girls and people with disability to sports, and ensuring that sports organisations are safe, inclusive and accessible.
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.
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.
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).
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.
