About the Conference
The Australian Pasifika Educators Network (APEN) invites you to our biennial national conference, bringing together educators, students, researchers, and community leaders working to improve educational outcomes for Pasifika learners in Australia.
Building on the success of our 2023 gathering, the 2025 conference is grounded in the theme - Navigating Currents: Pasifika Strength in Changing Times. This theme recognises the resilience, innovation, and adaptability Pasifika communities continue to embody across shifting educational and social landscapes.
The conference is a space to:
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Share culturally grounded and community-led practices
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Highlight Pasifika-led research and leadership
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Strengthen our collective voice through connection and solidarity
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Uplift the next generation of Pacific leaders.
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Conference themes​​:
Presentations and sessions will reflect key sub-themes including:​​
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Pasifika student engagement, motivation, and aspiration
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Family, faith, and community connections in education
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Youth leadership and student voice
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Culturally grounded programs, pedagogy, and research
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Pasifika wellbeing and belonging in learning environments
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Community-designed education models
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Talanoa and Indigenous approaches to knowledge-sharing
Conference Program
The program lists all session titles, presenters, and abstracts from page 3 onward. Streams include Pasifika student engagement, motivation and aspiration; family, faith, and community connections in education; culturally grounded programs, pedagogy, or research; Pasifika wellbeing and belonging in learning environments; community-designed education models; and talanoa and Indigenous approaches to knowledge-sharing.
Event Speakers
Meet the confirmed speakers for APEN Conference 2025.
Associate Professor
Eseta Tualaulelei
Seuta’afili Dr Patrick Thomsen
Dr Levi Fox
Dr Inez Fainga’a-Manusione
Desiree Guttenbeil
Robati Harrison
Dr Agapetos Aia-Fa’aleava
Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson
Ronaldo Tago
Cathleen Hafu-Fetokai
Misi Matauaina
Kiana Hansford
Conference Registration
Standard Registration
This option is for full-time professionals working in education, research, policy, government, or community sectors. If you are employed in a continuing or full-time role and/or your organisation is covering your registration, this is the appropriate category for you.
Cost: $250 (excl. booking fee)
Conference Dinner $60 pp (Optional)​
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Join us at 6:30 PM for a two-course dinner and celebration. Tickets can be purchased with your conference registration.
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Registration is Now Open
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To secure your place at the APEN Pasifika Education Conference 2025, please register via the link below.
The registration form also provides the option to generate a tax invoice for your institution or employer at checkout.
Just being there, I felt incredibly welcomed and received. I learned a lot. All the sessions kept my interest. I would say this was one of my favourite conferences I have attended and that I learned the most in a practical sense
2023 Conference Participant
Today’s event was so heart-warming, engaging, inspiring and meaningful. I left the event feeling motivated and challenged… thinking about the ways in which I as an educator can make more of an impact in my work with children and their families
2023 Conference Participant
Thank you APEN for your insightful and thought-provoking agenda… While AI has received much hype this year, we cannot forget the wisdom the other AI raised at the conference brings Ancestral Intelligence.
2023 Conference Participant
To witness those conversations we had years ago, of bringing Pasifika educators together to share, empower, strengthen, and deepen connection, become a reality is truly incredible.
2023 Conference Participant
Download the APEN Conference 2023 Report.
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