In March, 2000 CPAS became an accredited Centre for the Australian National Commission for UNESCO. Our work with UNESCO focuses on enhancing science teaching, training, and communication in Pacific Nations. Our day to day partner is the UNESCO Pacific office in Apia, Samoa.

Highlights of the CPAS/ UNESCO partnership to date:

• Science journalism workshop for Pacific Island journalists, February 2001 at CPAS, ANU
• Pacific Science Communication Forum - August 2001, Apia, Samoa
• Science teacher workshop - August 2001, Apia, Samoa
• Pacific Environment Information Network (PEIN) - expert science communication advice/ presentations. May 2002, Apia, Samoa
• Pacific Science Exchange (PSE) - the PSE was an initiative created and run by CPAS and funded/supported by UNESCO, Apia. It involved the 12 month trial of an e-list, information bulletin of any and all science information relevant to pacific Island Nations run in 2003. The PSE aimed to raise social participation in science in and around the Pacific.
• Register of Pacific Scientists (RPS) - up since May 2005. This is an online database for any and all people involved with Pacific Science to record their details and/or search for other people with similar or complementary interests. The RPS is in it's initial phase, but it is expected to expand services and offerings according to user demands over the next few years. http://www.pacificscience.net
• Science teacher workshop, Suva, Fiji, October, 2005

Science Communication Research, the Pacific and UNESCO

While our activity with UNESCO has been centred around providing consultancies and services, research opportunities in Pacific science communication abound. If you are interested in pursuing science communication research in the Pacific, please contact Rod Lamberts.