Our Vision, Mission & Values
Think Pacific is a social enterprise. We deliver the highest level of international projects, which are deeply rooted in the destinations we work and directly support the aims of our local partners through thoughtful international participation. This serves both as an impactful initiative in itself but also as a funding initiative, driving income into local communities.
We were born out of local ideas and ambition within Fiji in the early 2000’s. Our visionaries included The National Health Advisor for Fiji, Mr. Manasa Seniyasi who was a founding member and Trustee of Think Pacific Foundation, Chiefs of Fiji’s Lomaiviti Province, including Ratu Komai and Ratu Jolame and Mr Waliki Satakala, former Provincial Officer facilitating the Towards a Healthy Fiji Islands Initiative and former Trustee of Think Pacific foundation.
After 15 years of delivering awarding winning programmes and applying our values and principles in Fiji, we recently expanded our reach and our unique delivery model to Bali, Indonesia & Thailand. Our aim is to continue to be a small and personable organisation that works in direct partnership with government ministries, industry leaders and NGOs across the Asia-Pacific region.
Seeing inspired young leaders positively impacting local and global challenges.
Creating positive cultural exchange, which invests in Fiji, Indonesia & Thailand’s future
We use these beliefs to define our identity:
Collaborations at all levels of planning, preparation and implementation.
Emphasis on learning and understanding, before contributing.
Local investment, local direction and local empowerment. Global exchange, with a local approach.
Think Pacific’s values of cultural respect, ethical collaboration, and sustainable development guide our bespoke approach, ensuring that each program is tailored to meet the unique needs of local communities while creating meaningful, transformative experiences for participants.
- Passion; Drive the success of TP’s vision, mission and development.
- Mindset; Always be a positive role model by seeking solutions and outcomes.
- Resilience; Achieve goals and motivate others, despite new and challenging environments.
- Humility; Be humble, respectful and mindful in all that we do.
- Accountability; Always take responsibility for our energy, impact and standards.
- Collaboration; Value working together. Always champion & support others.
- Aspiration; Always aspiring to improve, become better and achieve more.
Since 2009 Fiji has been Think Pacific’s home and passion and it has been our privilege to guide over eight thousand young people to Fiji. This time has seen extraordinary experiences and learning unfold for students, whilst supporting locally directly aims and impact. In the process we have been proud to achieve over 500 community projects for rural communities, facilitate the aims of over 200 Pacific organizations and invest over $15 million dollars into the local economy in Fiji.
The past decade has also allowed us to develop and refine our expertise in developing authentic cultural exchange experiences for over 80 global educational institutions and being honoured to receive the award for best study abroad and global exchange programme by professionals in international education (2023 PIEoneer Awards).
We are only at the beginning of a vision that was born around the kava bowl in Fiji…. It began as an inspiring conversation led by local stakeholders about a big vision. Think Pacific’s aim was to support local and respected partner networks with the funding, planning and logistical support to achieve local ambition. Our programmes and impact in Fiji today have never been stronger, more diverse, or more exciting and will continue to grow locally.
In Fiji, our unique model and ‘Think Pacific’ will continue and without altering our values or ethos or the support for our existing partners and communities. As our network has grown exponentially through the respected partnerships and the sound ground-work of our local team, so have our initiatives, our dialogue and our potential. With our local partnerships, including The University of the South Pacific, Think Pacific’s future objectives include continuing to deliver our current projects, designing and innovating new programme design models, and expanding to deliver study tours and experiential learning programmes for students across Pacific Island nations. We are excited for the opportunity to combine our skills and expertise in international educational delivery with the local expertise of Pacific based partners. The future of ‘Think Pacific’ will grow strategically from being ‘Fiji Focused’ to being ‘Pacific Island’ focused.
Ultimately, through all our prior achievements, we realize that we may limit what we can do if the wider organization focuses exclusively on one destination. However, we can recognise, celebrate and enhance what we can do if that unique model is repurposed and introduced to other destinations. This creates a unique opportunity for a wonderful evolution.
One year after successfully launching in Bali, Think Pacific has continued to build on its initiatives in Fiji and reached an exciting milestone with its expansion into Thailand. The journey to this point has been the result of four years of careful planning for the next chapter—expansion beyond Fiji. Indonesia was the first step forward, with programs launched in 2023 through partnerships with local organizations.
The Bali programs became a reality thanks to collaboration with local partners and strategic preparation, leading to the creation of a locally registered organization in Asia. With a dedicated Balinese staff team rich in experience, Think Pacific embarked on a journey that laid the groundwork for sustainable local partnerships and positive global exchange.
The team’s efforts have ensured that the new programs provided international students with unique and meaningful experiences while channeling strategic funding and opportunities to local Indonesian organizations. Now, as Think Pacific celebrates its launch in Thailand, it has carried forward these principles and practices, ready to build new partnerships and expand its impact in the region.
Our long-term vision is to create a family of locally registered organizations across the globe. We strive to be a truly international organization that facilitates the highest standards of global exchange for students, underpinned by local expertise in each region. These local organizations use their unique knowledge, partnerships, and understanding to ensure that each project we deliver has a meaningful local impact and sets the benchmark for culturally immersive and respectful approaches. A key element of our global strategy is that each regional organization will act as a conduit for resource distribution, enhancing the capacity of existing initiatives and supporting exceptional local partner organizations.
This strategic move strengthens our established presence in Fiji while enhancing opportunities for sustainable growth and stability. It also sparks the potential for collaborative contributions in new locations worldwide. Local needs, goals, and cultures vary, so our delivery must be tailored to each destination. Our programs and projects will naturally differ from one location to another, as they should. This approach reinforces our model of “global impact with a local approach,” making it more relevant than ever.
We believe, now more than ever, that global experiences have the power to transform perspectives and challenge students’ ways of thinking, all while providing the most enriching travel experiences of their lives. Responsible global exchange broadens horizons, fosters personal growth, and encourages critical thinking and reflection. Through our vibrant network of partners, we enable participants to truly immerse themselves in the essence of a country.
While we are not the experts of each destination, we know who is: the inspiring local individuals and organizations we are privileged to collaborate with. Our expertise lies in facilitating life-changing, authentic, and meaningful experiences for students worldwide, and this commitment will never waver.
We are evolving towards a long-term vision: to become the most trusted global provider of ethical, responsible, and sustainable cultural exchanges for educational institutions and young people, while creating opportunities and fostering impact directed by local communities around the world. We invite you to join us on this journey and vision. To all the students eager to participate, we can’t wait to welcome you.
If you join, be prepared for challenge, a tremendous learning experience, honest reflection and immense cultural exchange. Our projects are tough but the rewards will stay with you. Throw yourself into the aims, learn from traditional communities and come with a positive mindset. You will return a more educated person, with unique stories, new friendships and new perspectives.