Pacific Digital Democracy Initiative Project

The Pacific Digital Democracy Initiative, a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and The University of the South Pacific (USP), aims to empower Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) through a human rights-based approach to digitalisation. This initiative supports these countries in developing and enhancing their digital strategies to strengthen state-society relations.

By leveraging digital technologies, the initiative seeks to improve government systems, promote e-government, and foster e-participation. While several Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have made strides in incorporating information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their governance processes, there remains significant potential for further development. In the four target countries, national digital strategies are in place, but more comprehensive efforts are needed to fully realize the benefits of e-government and inclusive decision-making.

This project collaborates with government officials, civil society, academia, media, and the private sector to build a shared commitment to digital rights and principles of digital development. It supports the creation of regulatory frameworks that safeguard human rights in the context of digitalisation and enhances the capacities of civil society organizations and governments to design and implement people-centered, gender-sensitive, and rights-based digital initiatives. The project also focuses on sharing best practices and lessons learned from regional and global experiences to build robust digital governance systems.

Additionally, the initiative addresses critical challenges such as information pollution and the online manifestation of gender-based violence, ensuring that digitalisation contributes positively to societal development.