Pacific youth meet to discuss technology

YOUTH from across the Pacific will be learning about mobile software development, internet governance and digital content creation during a week-long course in Fiji. 
PasifikaNEXUS, a Fiji-based policy think-tank, is responsible for organising Youth Tech Camp, the first of its kind in the region.
The programme, sponsored by the US Department of State, will bring to the Pacific Islands a successful digital content development programme developed by BrightPath Foundation, an international non-profit organisation.
PasifikaNEXUS head Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro said: “We have been following the pioneering work of BrightPath Foundation in the US and Caribbean and are delighted to be able to partner with them to bring their programmes to the Pacific region.”
The Youth Tech Camp has received overwhelming support. 
“In just over two weeks, more than 250 people from more than 15 countries have applied to attend,” Tamanikaiwaimaro said. 
“This is confirmation of the value of programmes like these that provide our youth with skills needed to move from technology consumers to producers.
“BrightPath’s focus on the technical as well as the social, policy and infrastructure aspects of local content development is a perfect fit for the Pacific.”
BrightPath experts will be training youth from across the Pacific Islands to build software applications for mobile phones.
BrightPath Foundation founder Bevil Wooding said: “Digital content creation can provide exciting new social and economic opportunities.” 
But Wooding’s aims go beyond technical training and content development alone.
“Our initiatives are designed to provide individuals with a deeper appreciation of their social responsibility,” he said.
The Youth Tech Camp will be held on Nov 20-21 and Nov 26-30 at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.
Pacific youth will then take part in PacINET, a regional conference organised by the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society, from Nov 22-26.
BrightPath and PasifikaNEXUS plan to use the forum to promote new levels of collaboration between youth and other emerging leaders across the Pacific region and the Caribbean.