News
UNESCO’S ROAM-X Project
As part of the launch of the Internet Universality Indicators (IUI) ROAM-X assessments in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, UNESCO organized a workshop designed to enhance the proficiency of regional researchers in implementing IUI evaluations. The training, held on 16 September 2023 in Nadi, Fiji, brought together 15 participants for in-depth discussions on the indicators and data collection tailored to the unique local context.
The countries to be assessed during the project are a series of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are particularly prone to climate-related disasters and the resulting economic and community challenges. The region’s , with 35% of the population lacking access to the Internet, and the have had adverse effects on the islands’ economic growth and hindered their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Within this context, the implementation of the ROAM-X assessments aims to provide comprehensive perspective on potential development priorities across various dimensions of connectivity in the South Pacific islands and lay the groundwork for economic diversification in the region. Specifically, the project seeks to leverage digital technologies to foster the growth of the creative economy and, notably, to support the local music industry.
Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Director of the UNESCO Office in Apia and UNESCO Representative to the Pacific States emphasized that despite the persistent challenges related to Internet access in the South Pacific islands, the ROAM-X assessments have the potential to accelerate the digital transformation in the region to deliver sustainable development.
Following the workshop, research teams have begun the data collection phase of the assessment, which will inform the primary findings and recommendations.
The application of the ROAM-X project in the region is a part of the Joint SDG Fund “Advancing the SDGs by improving livelihoods, social protection, human rights and resilience of vulnerable communities via economic diversification and digital transformation”. The initiative is jointly executed with , the , the , the , and the , with support from national stakeholders in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands.
For any further information, please contact Tatevik Grigoryan at t.grigoryan@unesco.org.
