Announcement of the 2022 Pacific Funds laureates!
The 2022 Pacific Fund Call has garnered numerous project applications in partnership with Australia. These projects help to build research links and develop economic exchanges between French communities (New Caledonia, French Polynesia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands), Australia, and the Pacific region.
This year, 5 projects were selected for a total funding of €195,000.
“Knowledge of climate solutions and food security in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands through management of the Rahui/Ra’ui”
This project aims to explore traditional knowledge and strategies for the management of land and sea resources, called Ra'ui on the Cook and Rahui islands in French Polynesia. The project aims to reconcile this knowledge with a scientific and artistic approach to ensure their sustainability. It will consist of a trip on a traditional canoe in the presence of Ra'ui knowledge holders, scientists and artists and should produce documentary films, and scientific articles. Led by the University of Macquarie, this project opens collaborations with the non-governmental organization Kōrero te ‘Ōrau and Okeanos Sea Foundation, in the Cook Islands, as well as with the Te Fare Natura eco-museum in French Polynesia.
“Analyze physical activity and nutrition using artificial intelligence for the health of Pacific populations”
This project explores the dietary behaviours and physical activity of Pacific populations, severely affected by obesity and diet-related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, it develops digital tools to support populations and public health policies. This project brings together researchers from the University of Sydney, of New Caledonia and of the Australian National University.
“Health Security and Gender and Age Distinctions: Polynesian epidemics Past and Present”
This project focuses on the management of epidemics in Pacific communities by comparing island territories and highly urbanized countries, categories of gender and age groups, past and contemporary crises. This social science study should identify barriers to health security (fear of transmission, of vaccination...) and possible responses and improvements. This project is a collaboration between the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, the University of French Polynesia, Paris 1 University, and the CREDO, Center for Research and Documentation on Oceania.
“Symposium on cultural expressions of climate change across the French speaking islands in the South Pacific”
This project consists of organizing a 3-day symposium to explore the role of cultural expression in the fight against climate change. A summary of these meetings will be published in the Journal of the Society of Oceanists in order to highlight their conclusions. This project carried out by the University of Sydney builds links with the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia and the Centre des Métiers d'Art in French Polynesia. The project is also supported by the Sydney Environmental Institute, the School of Languages and Cultures, and the Power Institute of the University of Sydney.
“The humpack Whale Sentinel Program- Fostering New Caledonia representation via early career researcher support”
The purpose of this project is to ensure the continuation of the humpback whale monitoring program in New Caledonia. This program collects tissue from whales to study their health, and that of the Antarctic Sea. The funding will allow a young researcher to establish her sampling platform under the mentorship of the current team. It is supported by a collaboration between the University of Griffith and the IRD of New Caledonia.