Disinfo Pacific
11- 12 November 2024
Brisbane, Australia
About Disinfo Pacific
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DIALOGUE AND MULTI-SECTOR COLLABORATION:
In response to the growing global threats posed by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for the Pacific has partnered with Griffith University, with support from the European Union delegations in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. This conference fostered multi-sector collaboration and facilitated dialogue across global contexts, with a particular emphasis on Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region.
DISINFO PACIFIC – a regional conference on information integrity. Over forty panelists including practitioners, academics and policy makers gathered to share best practices and lessons learned while exploring global strategies and approaches against disinformation. The Conference focused on the three main areas where disinformation has been a greater challenge in our region: democracy/elections, the climate crisis and public health.
“Countering disinformation requires lasting investment in building societal resilience and media and information literacy.”
António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations
The United Nations and Information Integrity
The Department of Global Communications (DGC) of the UN Secretariat as well as UN agencies, mainly UNESCO, UNDP and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have been working on Information integrity and related issues for several years. But in 2023 and 2024, several important milestones have been achieved and the international community has now global frameworks, guidance and key documents to address all emerging information integrity challenges.
Panel Sessions
The conference hosted experts in the field of democracy, elections, climate and public health. Panelists shared strategies for preventing, mitigating and implementing best practices to address the global challenge of disinformation.
Breakout Sessions
The conference included interactive sessions to devise actionable strategies for identifying and combating disinformation. These included sessions hosted by UNESCO, WHO, UNAA and UNANZ and leading academics and practitioners working in democracy, climate and public health.
The Way Forward
The conference examined emerging threats, novel approaches and potential opportunities and techniques to address and mitigate disinformation. The conference will also launch a regional Disinfo Pacific Atlas on the information integrity capacities around the Pacific and encourage the creation of networks.
Featured Talks & Speakers
Disinformation impacts democratic processes, social cohesion, climate action and public health. The Pacific region, like the rest of the world, is increasingly exposed— and will remain vulnerable to escalating threats from disinformation. With Disinfo Pacific, we aim to provide a sub-regional forum for journalists, social media experts, educators, researchers, policy and communications professionals.
12 Nov — 9:00 AM AEST | Keynote Speaker
The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia
12 Nov — 9:20 AM AEST | Panelist
Rosita Rokobuli
Pacific Youth Representative, Nauru
11 Nov — 9:30 AM AEST | Keynote Speaker
Melissa Fleming
Under-Secretary-General, United Nations
12 Nov — 10:35 AM AEST | Speaker
Tawfik Jelassi
Assistant Director-General, UNESCO
Master of Ceremonies and Workshop Facilitator
Taase Tavita
Electoral Commission, Samoa