UNESCO's Communication and Information is focused on enhancing universal access to information and knowledge as well as fostering pluralistic, free and independent media.  This work is carried out with partners to support regional and national strategies such as the Framework for Action on ICT for Development in the Pacific. 

Our interventions include capacity building of media institutions and supporting communication for development to help Pacific communities understand and address contemporary challenges like HIV/AIDS and climate change.  We foster community media, the creation of content that is local and culturally relevant and create opportunities for women and youth to express their view points. The ability of media to support these goals depends on a free press and respect for the right to information.  UNESCO champions these rights which are central to the ongoing development of democratic and peaceful Pacific societies.

ICT and new media offer tremendous opportunities for the Pacific. UNESCO through its work with teacher training institutions is helping teachers develop the skill that will enable them to create an ICT and media literate society.  Our work with open educational resource (OER), free and open source software (FOSS), foster the presence of local languages, knowledge and resources in the digital environment.  The Memory of the World (MOW) programme encourages preservation and digitization of documentary and audio-visual materials.

The above contribute to Pacific knowledge societies and the preservation and dissemination of Pacific heritage for future generations.  UNESCO also provides grants to support ativities in these areas.