BRIDGE workshop for Polynesia Election Management Bodies

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) network, convened a two-day BRIDGE workshop focused on voter and civic education on 23 and 24 September 2025 in Funafuti, Tuvalu.

Facilitated by Asenaca Kolinivala and Yvonne Goudie from UNDP, alongside Ana Mataiciwa from the Fijian Elections Office, the workshop brought together twenty (24) electoral management body representatives from Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Samoa, and Niue. The event served as a continuation of the 2025 BRIDGE series, offering a platform for in-depth electoral dialogue and knowledge exchange tailored to the unique contexts of the Polynesian sub-region.

The workshop aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of civic education, voter education, and voter information, while exploring strategic approaches for outreach across diverse communities. Activities included defining key concepts, planning education programs using an eight-step framework, and sharing country-specific initiatives. Emphasis was placed on inclusive democratic processes, with particular attention to youth engagement, gender-sensitive programming, and overcoming barriers to electoral participation. Participants were encouraged to move beyond basic voter information and adopt holistic, long-term strategies for civic engagement.

 Throughout the sessions, participants demonstrated strong engagement and creativity, contributing to group presentations and showcasing talents such as songwriting, radio influencing, and advocacy. These activities highlighted the importance of tailoring outreach to different audiences and leveraging local expertise to enhance voter awareness. The workshop also reinforced the value of strategic planning and evaluation in designing impactful civic education programs that are clear, fair, and inclusive.

The event concluded with a celebratory certificate presentation, marking a successful and inspiring exchange among Polynesian electoral stakeholders. Building on this momentum, UNDP Pacific commits to host further BRIDGE workshops in the Pacific, supporting regional capacity building and the development of effective, inclusive electoral processes across the Pacific.