Dr George Carter is a Research Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University (ANU). He is also the Director for the ANU Pacific Institute a large network hub of scholars in the university - connecting and promoting Pacific research, teaching and training at the university.
The broad focus of George’s research interest explores Pacific island peoples’ and states influence and agency in international and regional politics. His research interests explore international politics of (negotiations, security, gender, finance, justice, science and traditional knowledge) climate change, geopolitics and regionalism(s), as well as the foreign policy and diplomacies of small island states in the Pacific. Furthermore, he is interested in indigenous philosophy and non-western international relations that focus on the longstanding history, practices, protocols and principles of Pacific political communities, contributing to Oceanic Diplomacy.
He has undertaken research in multilateral forums including climate change, security, ocean, sustainable development negotiations, as well as in regional organisations and national governments across the Pacific. George teaches university and executive courses in international relations, diplomacy, security, environment and climate change, policy, cultural communication, and Pacific studies.
His research and teaching interests are informed by his education, work experience in the Pacific and upbringing through his proud Samoan Tuvaluan, i-Kiribati, Chinese, British ancestry. He serves his family and communities in Samoa, where he holds the matai/chiefly title of Salā.
Krishneil Narayan is the Executive Director and Principal Consultant at Sustainable Future Consultancy in Fiji.
As a development professional with 18 years of experience, he specializes in sustainability and climate policy formulation, translating the policies into activities that benefit communities and accessing climate finance for Pacific Island countries.
As an advisor, Krishneil provides his expertise in climate and disaster-resilient development project design, implementation, and evaluations to various governments, NGOs, development organizations, and the private sector.
Krishneil previously worked as a climate change negotiator at the United Nations for over a decade, prioritizing the needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and contributing to the adoption of the 2013 Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, as well as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
Previous clients have included: Oxfam Australia, Bread for the World (Germany), Pacific Islands Climate Action Network, UNDP, UN Environment, the Pacific Community (SPC), UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), New Zealand Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Fiji Government (Ministry of Women), International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
For fifteen years Julie has supported governments, communities, NGOs, and humanitarian organisations across the Pacific, Asia and Australia to address climate change through their policy, project and program work. Her specialties are adaptation, resilience and gender. She has expertise in research, writing and analysis. She also has substantial expertise in developing and delivering tailored training packages and developing targeted and practical communication materials, guidelines and toolkits for diverse audiences. She has excellent written and verbal communication skills and substantial experience in mentoring, capacity building and leadership. She has a Masters in Sustainability from Murdoch University and is completing a Master of Climate Change from the Australian National University.