Focus areas

The big ocean states of the Pacific region face considerable challenges that are directly affecting their security and stability and making them increasingly vulnerable.

These challenges come from:

threats from climate change and loss of biodiversity
heightened geopolitical competition and associated rising tensions
insecurity in food, energy and water
gaps and lack of quality education
growing threats from transnational organised crime, cyber insecurity; and
capacity shortfalls, particularly in the areas of governance, military and policing.

The impacts of all these challenges can be addressed through a collective focus on a regenerative approach that prioritises people and place. Our focus will be to design and deliver outcomes that directly benefit local communities.

We intend to work with stakeholders – including national ministries, local governments, as well as civil society, local and regional organisations – helping to inform their policy and practice.

Our ambition is for RMIT to operate in the Pacific as a trusted partner that engages in ethical cross-cultural communication based on mutual respect; acting with humility to co-design projects that privilege local knowledges while strengthening capacity and self-determination.

– Professor Tim Flannery AAS

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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