Celebrating Pacific leadership and action!

Join us for a free online webinar series where Pacific civil society leaders, youth advocates, journalists, finance workers, NGOs, government friends, and community champions come together to strengthen transparency, share wisdom, and lead action across our islands.

This is a space to celebrate Pacific voices, build strong connections, and work together for a fairer, stronger future for our Blue Pacific.

✅ Free and fully online — easy to join from town, village, or island

✅ Open to all across the Pacific and beyond

✅ Running May and June 2025

Let's grow and strengthen Pacific leadership, together.

What the Series Covers

🌱 Building strong foundations for transparency and accountability
🌱 Strengthening financial integrity in Pacific communities
🌱 Empowering civil society action and leadership
🌱 Sharing Pacific-led solutions to drive positive change

📅 Event 1

Webinar 1: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) – Risks, Benefits, and the Role of Transparency
Facilitator: Avaneesh Raman, International Consultant specialising in AML, Anti-Corruption & Governance
Speakers:

Dan Frost, Head, Financial Intelligence Unit, New Zealand
Kalisi Tohifolau, Director of Investigation, Anti-Corruption Commissioner of Tonga
Adair Fincher, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit, Republic of Palau

Recording available soon.

🔍 What it covers:
Explore how money laundering affects Pacific communities, why strong AML systems matter, and the vital role civil society plays in promoting transparency. You’ll hear from experts in law enforcement, financial intelligence, and anti-corruption advocacy.

✅ Understand AML basics in a Pacific context
✅ Learn how collaboration can reduce corruption risks
✅ Discover how civil society can take action

🎯 Outcome: Walk away with clear, practical ways to strengthen financial transparency and community safeguards.

📅 Event 2

Webinar 2: Organised Crime – Corruption, Financial Networks & Policy Responses
Date: 28 May 2025
Time: 10.30am-12pm (Fiji Time / NZ Time)
Facilitator: Jose Sousa-Santos, Associate Professor of Practice & Head of the Pacific Regional Security Hub, University of Canterbury

Speakers:

Tevita Tupou, Trade and Customs Advisor, UN Trade & Development (UNCAD)
Aubrey Belford, Editor, Australia & Pacific Region, Organised Crime & Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)
Virginia Comolli, Head of Pacific Programme, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Location: Online (Zoom)

🔍 What it covers:
This session dives into how organised crime operates across the Pacific, from hidden financial networks to state corruption. Learn how investigative journalism, policy innovation, and law enforcement are fighting back—and what role you can play.

✅ Hear from law enforcement, media, and policy experts
✅ Discover real Pacific case studies
✅ Gain tools to support advocacy and reform

🎯 Outcome: Understand how corruption connects across borders and how civil society can help disrupt it.

📅 Event 3

Webinar 3: Beneficial Ownership 101 – Strengthening Transparency & Accountability in the Pacific
Date: 11 June 2025
Time: 12pm-1.30pm (Fiji Time / NZ Time)
Facilitator: Emily Manuel, Regional Manager Asia Pacific, Open Ownership
Speakers:

Emily Manuel, Regional Manager Asia Pacific, Open Ownership
Florica Dragomir, AML& Anti-Corruption Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office
Deffnie Thompson, Journalist & Youth Advocate, Vanuatu

Location: Online (Zoom)

🔍 What it covers:
What is beneficial ownership and why does it matter for the Pacific? Learn how secretive company ownership structures fuel corruption—and what tools exist to make ownership more transparent and accountable.

✅ Breaks down a complex issue into plain English
✅ Explore data tools and policy pathways
✅ Learn how CSOs and journalists can push for change

🎯 Outcome: Be equipped to explain, investigate, and advocate for stronger ownership transparency in your country.

🌊 Who Should Attend?

Civil society leaders, journalists, financial sector professionals, youth advocates, government officials, NGOs, academics, and anyone passionate about good governance in the Pacific.

💬 Why Join

🌺 Learn from Pacific leaders, thinkers, and changemakers
🌺 Connect with others across our Blue Pacific and share ideas
🌺 Take away practical tools you can use in your communities
🌺 Help grow a fairer, stronger future led by Pacific voices

📥 Register now and be part of this powerful Pacific talanoa.

(Keen for even more inspiring talanoa? Check out our upcoming Environmental Governance series.)

Contact the host of Pacific Anti-Corruption Series: Strengthening Transparency, Financial Integrity, and Civil Society Action