Pacific Engagement: Building long-term relationships through cultural capability

Fostering stronger partnerships with Pacific communities is key to Australia’s impactful collaboration in the region. This learning experience will equip you with essential cultural capabilities and a deep understanding of Pacific cultures, societies, and economies. You will develop a comprehensive cultural capability toolkit, enabling you to make informed decisions and engage effectively across the sector.
The duration of learning is approximately 58 hours over 14 weeks. This includes self-paced online activities, facilitated virtual seminars and a two-day in-person component in Canberra.
This learning experience has been provided by Flinders University and the APS Academy, in conjunction with experienced APS and Pasifika practitioners.
Participant benefits
- Demonstrate high-level cultural capability
- Analyse impacts of colonial activity in the Pacific region
- Synthesise key drivers of Australia’s engagement in the Pacific and with Pacific diaspora communities in Australia
- Demonstrate understanding of cultures, beliefs, systems and values from across the Pacific region and how they relate to each other
- Apply cultural capability tools to engagement in the Pacific and with Pacific cultures.
Suitable for
All staff, in particular practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of Pacific engagement. This includes staff preparing to take up a deployment in a Pacific country, those working with Pacific diaspora in Australia, and staff working on policy or program initiatives which involve engagement with Pacific communities.
Staff from state and territory governments are welcome to enrol.
Considerations
- Enrolments are direct through Flinders University website.
Single agency delivery
- This learning experience can also be tailored for in-house delivery, providing your organisation a unique opportunity to enhance cross-cultural competencies and strengthen relationships within the Pacific region.
Skills recognition upon completion
- You will be awarded a digital badge from Flinders University certifying your expertise.
- You can articulate this learning experience into one subject of credit in the Flinders University postgraduate Public Policy and Public Administration programs, upon application to the university.
Industry/Associations awards
- AITD Excellence Award, 2025 Finalist

Category and User Level
This learning experience aligns with the Engagement & Partnership Craft at the Practitioner Level
Price
$3700 per person plus GST. Payment made via Flinders University.