Fostering an Enabling Environment for Pacific Professionals Working on Climate-related Issues

The Australia Pacific Climate Alumni Network (APCAN) recently hosted a “Climate Career Pathways in the Pacific'' hybrid event on 11 March 2024 in response to growing interest from network members on APCAN’s career pathway event series. With the ever-evolving job market and Pacific landscape in the face of climate change requiring a skilled and dedicated workforce that can champion and contribute to resilience building efforts in the region. This event aimed to provide insights into specific skills, qualifications and training for different climate career pathways, encourage collaboration and information sharing amongst network members, and share challenges and success stories to inspire emerging professionals working in the climate space. The event consisted of two panel sessions featuring four key speakers each, from diverse backgrounds including government, development organisations, academia and the private sector from across the Pacific. 

The first panel session focused on climate leadership in the region. Speakers included Dr. Sivendra Michael (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment Fiji), Ms. Ulusapeti Tiitii (Principal Fisheries Officer with Samoa Fisheries Division), Mr. Hudson Kauhiona (Climate and Community Manager for the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program), and Ms. Eliala Fihaki (Climate Resilience Programme Manager at World Vision NZ). Participants benefited from the speakers sharing their experiences and lessons learned from challenges and opportunities they had to navigate while contributing to policy making at regional and international forums, and similarly while engaging with their communities within their respective countries. Some key topics discussed around climate leadership included: understanding your ‘why’ is key to helping you navigate challenges as a climate leader and advocate; how traditional knowledge holds invaluable insights for sustainable development; ensuring all voices are heard during community engagement; leadership not being about the position but rather about taking the lead in influencing change; and how mentorship plays a crucial role in nurturing emerging professionals and climate leaders in the Pacific.  

The second panel session focused on kick-starting a career in the climate sector, highlighting emerging Pacific professionals that are on different career pathways but all working towards the same goal - more resilient Pacific communities in the face of climate change. Speakers included Mr. Silipa Mulitalo (Samoa Meteorology Services), Ms. Elisabeta Waqa (Consultant), Mr. Kunal Singh (Development practitioner) and Mr. Tearinaki Tanielu (PhD Candidate and Director for Multilateral Affairs, Kiribati). One key takeaway from this session highlighted by all the speakers is that climate change is cross-cutting and to start a career in this space, it all starts from home and from within oneself - understanding your values, what concerns you and identifying where you can apply change. 

The event was attended by 156 participants online and 17 in person who were highly appreciative of the platform APCAN has provided for knowledge and information exchange between seasoned and emerging Pacific professionals working in the climate space. Participants highlighted the difficulties in finding job opportunities straight after tertiary education, finding credible sources of information, and good role models and mentors who are willing to provide career advice and guidance in the field of climate change. One participant shared “Grateful for this platform, and thankful to all the speakers. Learned something new on the enablers of governance at community level which are collectiveness, richness, diversity, intergenerational and servanthood.” Another participant added “Everyone in the region has a duty to play towards addressing current and emerging societal challenges including climate change. This is an excellent interdisciplinary platform to begin ACTIONABLE OUTCOMES!”