LocationsWayfinders: In Conversation With: Kim Allen
May 5, 2025
Photo: Supplied
As we approach the Pasifika Futures Forum, UNDP Pacific is excited to present the "In Conversations With" series. This initiative will spotlight the voices and visions of Pacific leaders, thinkers, and community members, underscoring the vital role of Indigenous wisdom and knowledge in shaping the future of our region. Join us as we delve into insightful dialogues that celebrate the rich cultural heritage and innovative perspectives of the Pacific.
Today, we catch up with Kim Allen, former Commonwealth Youth Council Chair.
How can Indigenous Pacific wisdom and knowledge help shape the future of our region by 2050?
Pacific wisdom and knowledge are grounded in the principle of being responsible custodians, coexisting with the land, environment, and society. The Pacific way is rooted in respect, care, love, and the pursuit of communal benefit. Individualism was never part of our values because our ancestors understood that the land and its resources are meant for everyone to work on and live from. Therefore, our pursuit of the future of the Pacific should prioritize the utmost interests of our people—their safety, protection, and survival—amid the challenges and global influences affecting the region.
The wisdom of our ancestors is founded on family unity and supporting one another through collective action for the common good. This should guide our path towards 2050 and beyond.
Kim Allen, dedicated advocate for sustainable development and community empowerment in the Pacific
What are the biggest challenges facing the Pacific today, and how can we turn these challenges into opportunities?
The Pacific is facing challenges related to good governance and strong leadership to navigate the region’s issues and the interests of our people amidst global political pressures, transnational crime, self-determination struggles, economic uncertainty, and the increasing impacts of climate change.
There are growing environmental concerns and human rights issues due to foreign interests in non-renewable resources and marine products the region offers.
Strong leadership is needed to manage foreign interests while prioritizing the well-being of our people and communities. This provides an opportunity to show the global community that the Pacific is committed to our people’s interests, where every partnership and economic or resource investment should be for the common good.
What is your personal vision for the future of your country, and the Pacific at large, and what steps do you believe are essential to achieve this vision?
I envision my country, Papua New Guinea, as an economically self-sustaining nation, empowering its people to achieve better living standards with access to high-quality health and education services. To enable this, we need strong leadership at all levels of government and across sectors, with policies that prioritize sustainability and quality services, always keeping the people’s interests at heart. The country must empower Papua New Guineans to engage in supply chains, downstream factories, and the capacity to export and import. Currently, most large-scale imports and exports are handled by foreign entities. This mindset needs to change, with the government empowering its people.
At the regional level, establishing strong relationships within Pacific countries is critical to share opportunities and partnerships that enable economic growth, trade, and cultural relations, including the transfer of appropriate technology and the development of capable human resources. This will ensure we can manage our Pacific affairs as a united and strong region.
Learn more at the Pasifika Futures Forum from 9-14 May 2025 in Suva, Fiji.
