Supporting Indigenous voices: ANU students attend COP29 for ‘once-in-a-lifetime' learning experience.
A delegation of five Pacific students from the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and a First Nations student from the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) joined ANU researchers at COP29 last month in Baku, Azerbaijan. The group played an important role in Australia’s mission to promote Indigenous diplomacy and engagement in the region.
Led by Salā Dr George Carter, Director of the ANU Pacific Institute and a renowned Pacific affairs scholar at CAP, students experienced firsthand how international relations and climate action are shaped on the global stage.
“As researchers, we are always at COP meetings and we thought, ‘why not create an opportunity to bring our students along?’ That’s how the ANU Climate Alumni Program was born,” Dr Carter explained.
Designed and founded by Associate Professor Siobhan McDonnell in 2022 with the support of Dr Virginia Marshall, a Senior Research Fellow at our School of Regulation and Governance, the ANU Climate Alumni Program supports Australian National University (ANU) master and PhD students from First Nations and Pacific Islander backgrounds to attend COP summits. The scheme aims to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous Australians and Pacific Islander groups at climate negotiations.
When applying, each student proposed an area of specialisation related to their post-graduate studies they wanted to learn more about during the conference. These topics ranged from gender equality to the forestry industry and climate-related civil disorder.
The student cohort received academic mentoring by leading experts at the College and had the opportunity to sit in on climate negotiations and attend panel discussions on topics including gender, politics, energy and finance.
For students, attending COP29 was more than just an academic exercise; it was a life-changing experience. Tirisiane Logavatu, a Fijian Master of Public Policy student at CAP, is a passionate gender equality advocate. She applied for the Climate Alumni Program to enhance her understanding of women’s contributions to global climate dialogue.
“Going to COP29 really enhanced my perception of gender gaps in climate negotiations. Attending the panel discussions on gender, women and girls showed me the diverse challenges they face,” she reflected.
The highlight for Tirisiane was meeting the only Fijian female district representative during the conference.
“I was so impressed by her work and learning about how we can create opportunities to encourage more women to represent Fiji,” Ms Logavatu said.
Participating in the delegation supported Master of International Law and Diplomacy student Leotrina Kinshasa Macomber in her studies in international law.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to observe the United Nation’s biggest gathering to make international law. Opportunities like this are one of the key reasons I chose to study at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific” she shared.
Now in its third year, the program hopes to build an alumni network and hold a permanent place at future COP summits. Dr Carter says the delegation not only builds deep connections between students but also with representatives inside COP, elevating the reputation of ANU in climate discussions.
“Country delegates always ask me excitedly, ‘George when is your next group of students coming?’” he shared.
Associate Professor McDonnell envisions the program’s alumni becoming influential leaders in climate action within Australia and the Pacific region.
“Over time, the ANU Climate advisors will become a core group of Alumni who shape climate policy and advocacy,” she said.
Elevating the role of ANU in Asia-Pacific affairs
The participation of CAP academics at COP29 exemplifies the Australian National University's mission to drive impactful research and foster regional collaboration. Professor Frank Jotzo, a renowned expert in climate policy, was a key part of the delegation alongside a team of ANU academics and scholars representing the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate. Their collective expertise in the field of climate change demonstrated the breadth of the University’s scholarly contribution to addressing climate challenges in the Asia-Pacific.
Supporting First Nations and Pacific Islander students through the ANU Climate Alumni Program aligns with the university’s strategic plan to foster knowledge and engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.
“This scheme meets the Australian National University strategic plan responsibilities (Strategic Plan 2025) to our Pacific neighbours by creating new networks of specialist knowledge to support the region,” said Associate Professor McDonnell.
Dr George Carter echoed this sentiment saying the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific's dedicated focus on Asia-Pacific studies provides its students with an “unrivalled” experience.
“The alumni cohort will leave the University with a network of scholars and international diplomatic connections. This is something that other universities cannot offer,” he said.
Dr Carter is confident that sending an Indigenous student cohort not only supports the founding mission of ANU but also contributes to Australia's broader diplomatic goals in the region.
“Australia and the Pacific have a shared responsibility in terms of climate change but also for our people. We are trying to build critical diplomacy between First Nations and Pacific peoples. We want this program to grow,” he explained.
Although climate action has a long way to go, the ANU Climate Alumni Leadership program is paving the way for new voices, ensuring Indigenous peoples have a seat at the table.
