PREL collaborates with New Zealand on computer centers

HONOLULU, Hawaii-Pacific Resources for Education and Learning is developing new alliances with partners in New Zealand. Collaborators are working together on technology, educational, and indigenous issues, including the development of a computer network for young people throughout the Pacific that fuels high-tech job creation.

In mid-November, the president and CEO of PREL, Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, attended an Intel Computer Clubhouse Stakeholder Delegation meeting at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington, DC.

The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is a global community of 100 computer clubhouses located in 20 different countries. Computer Clubhouse New Zealand has adopted the program in New Zealand and is looking to expand the computer centers throughout the Pacific region with the help of nonprofit partners such as PREL.

The strategic meeting was hosted by New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Mike Moore. Other key development partners in attendance included: Haami (Sam) Tutu Chapman, chairperson CCNZ Trust; professor Graham Smith, CEO of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuirangi; Ann Milne, CCNZ board and Kia Aroha College; Gail Breslow, executive director of ICCN; Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, CEO of PREL; Rex Horio, executive director of Foundation for South Pacific Peoples International; Barry Shain, The Shain Group, Inc.; Mike Usmar, CEO CCNZ Trust.

PREL has a longstanding collaborative relationship with partners in New Zealand, including faculty members from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Indigenous University, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga hosted by the University of Auckland, and Te Kotahi Research Institute for Innovation, Well-being and Inspiration at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato.

Many New Zealand scholars are also members of the Polaris Network: Pacific Opportunities to Learn, Advance and Research Indigenous Systems, founded by Dr. Nelson-Barber at PREL. They also share membership in professional organizations such as The Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific (affiliated with the American Educational Research Association) and The Indigenous Peoples in Evaluation (affiliated with the American Evaluation Association).

PREL’s alliance with Computer Clubhouse New Zealand is one of many emerging new partnerships with entities in the South Pacific. The 18th consultation meeting of the Pacific Heads of Education Systems, held in Koror, Palau, included delegations from the PREL region, along with South Pacific development partners and intergovernmental agencies. PREL offered updates on its work with South Pacific partners on climate issues, as well as updates on its Pacific Islands Climate Change Education Partnership, which serves the North Pacific region.

Joint ventures like Computer Clubhouse continue to expand PREL’s reach. Successful partnerships provide educational leaders of the Pacific with a broader community where they can discuss and deliberate on issues and challenges of common concern.(PREL)