Celebrating 15 years of Cyber Safety Pasifika!
Coinciding with Samoa's Cyber Safety Outreach Week, Cyber Safety Pasifika celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Celebrating 15 Years of Cyber Safety Pasifika
On the 15th of May 2026, Cyber Safety Pasifika (CSP)commemorated a significant milestone by celebrating its 15th anniversary inApia, Samoa. This event coincided with Samoa's Cyber Safety Outreach Week and marqueGreatlight Cyber Safety Concert which incorporated the official launch of thenew CSP website.
With hundreds in attendance, along with unitingrepresentatives from 11 Pacific countries including Australia, New Zealand,Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru andthe Cook Islands - the Greatlight Cyber Safety Concert was put together by theHosanna Church on behalf of the Ministry of Police and the Government of Samoa,with support from their partners CSP and Australian Federal Police (AFP). Theinitiative is a collective effort to combat the growing misuse of onlineplatforms and websites for criminal activities.
In the lead up to the festivities, local Samoan radiostations Hamo FM and Talofa FM collaborated with the CSP team, AFP, localcommunity leaders, development partners, and educators to discuss the various outreachactivities planned to promote cyber safety awareness and education.
Miss Samoa – Feagaimaali’I Soti-Mapu also shared importantmessages on cyberbullying, kindness online, youth wellbeing, and theresponsible use of social media. An inspiring message encouraging young peopleto stand strong, speak up, and support one another online.
Another key aspect of the Cyber Safety Outreach Week wasthe coverage of mental health and online safety. Dr. Epa Efu, Psychiatrist andMental Health Specialist who shared insights on cyberbullying, social mediapressure, mental wellbeing, and the importance of protecting ourselves and othersonline.
The official program of the Greatlight Cyber Safety Concertfeatured addresses and participation from senior government officials, policingleaders, and regional partners, with acknowledgments including:
- Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt
- Leadership of the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Service
- Representatives from the Australian Federal Police and New Zealand Police
- Honourable High Commissioner of Australia to Samoa
- Delegates from regional Pacific police forces
- Community and faith-based leaders
- CSP Pacific Community Trainers
The event also celebrated the successful 15-year milestoneof Cyber Safety Pasifika in promoting cyber awareness and online protectionthroughout the Pacific. The launch was grounded in a strong spiritualfoundation through prayers and messages led by Pastor Eric Poe and the HosannaChristian Church of Samoa. Pastor Eric Poe has been a long serving advocate ofyouth at risk and also founded Teen Challenge Samoa.
The celebrations acknowledged the combined efforts ofPacific police agencies, trainers, partner organisations, and communityadvocates who have supported CSP's growth over the past fifteen years.
Launch of the New Website
A significant highlight of the event was the officiallaunch of the Cyber Safety Pasifika website. This platform is designedto be a centralised hub for cyber safety education, resources, regionalupdates, and stakeholder engagement across the Pacific. The launch reflectsCSP's commitment to modernising outreach efforts and enhancing access to digitalsafety information for Pacific communities.
The website also reinforces CSP's long-term goal ofsupporting sustainable and scalable cyber awareness initiatives across thegeographically diverse island nations.
Looking to the Future
The CSP programme has adapted time and time again to keepup with emerging technologies and evolving online threats while maintaining astrong focus on culturally relevant, community-driven engagement andrepresentation. The 15th anniversary celebrations not only reflected onCSP's accomplishments but also reaffirmed a commitment to the future.
As digital connectivity continues to expand across thePacific, cyber threats are anticipated to become increasingly sophisticated andwidespread. As CSP embarks on its next chapter, the program remains deeplyrooted in its core philosophy – “By the Pacific, for the Pacific” –continuing to foster a safer, stronger, and more resilient digital future forthe Pacific region.
To learn more about the team, contact Cyber Safety Pasifika by email at Cyber-Safety-Pasifika@afp.gov.au
