Pacific Islands Facing Fire
Community experiences for wildfire prevention in island territories
Rapa Nui brings together communities, institutions and specialists from different Pacific territories to share practical lessons on community-based wildfire prevention, local preparedness, territorial management and cooperation between islands.
This symposium seeks to strengthen the capacity of families, neighborhoods, schools, accommodations, organizations and communities to anticipate risk, protect life and care for the territory before a major emergency occurs.
In-person spaces are limited. Online participation will connect Rapa Nui with Pacific territories, continental Chile and other international experiences.
Before the great fire, islands can prepare.
Rapa Nui calls on the Pacific to learn, prevent and protect life, heritage and territory.
Prevention begins before the emergency.
This symposium brings together community experiences from the Pacific to strengthen local preparedness for wildfires in island territories.
Under climate change, wildfires have reached a new level of threat in many territories around the world. Small islands, because of their isolation, ecological fragility, operational limitations and high cultural value, face especially complex challenges.
In Rapa Nui, wildfire risk is intensified by drought, the accumulation of combustible vegetation, the urban expansion of Haŋa Roa, the presence of flammable species, wind and deeply rooted fire-use practices.
In response to this scenario, the symposium proposes bringing together local, national and international actors to share applied experiences in community-based prevention. This is not a traditional academic conference, but a practical, participatory and intercultural exchange space.
The focus will be on real experiences: what worked, what did not work, who participated, what lessons were learned and what actions could be adapted to Rapa Nui and other island territories.
Why talk about prevention now
Community-based wildfire prevention cannot wait until a major emergency occurs. Rapa Nui has an opportunity to learn from other Pacific experiences and strengthen preparedness from within the community.
Growing risk in Haŋa Roa
The combination of drought, combustible vegetation, climate change, urban expansion and fire use increases the exposure of Haŋa Roa and other areas of the island.
An island in extreme isolation
In a remote island territory, a major emergency can quickly exceed local response capacities. That is why community preparedness is essential.
Learning before facing a catastrophe
Other islands and Pacific territories have already experienced severe fires. Their experiences can provide valuable lessons for preventing, preparing and responding better.
Protecting life, landscape and memory
Fire threatens homes, infrastructure and ecosystems, but also cultural landscapes, archaeological sites, territorial memory and economic activities such as tourism.
Connecting islands with shared challenges
The hybrid format makes it possible to bring together communities, institutions, specialists and territories that normally work separately, generating shared learning and future cooperation.
A shared purpose: prevent, learn and cooperate
During the event, the aim will be to connect community experience, technical knowledge and inter-island cooperation.
General objective
Generate a space for exchanging community and territorial experiences on wildfire prevention in Pacific islands, identifying lessons applicable to Rapa Nui and helping strengthen the resilience of island territories.
Specific objectives
- Share concrete community-based wildfire prevention experiences developed in different Pacific territories.
- Identify good practices adaptable to islands with geographic isolation, ecological fragility, high cultural value and limited operational capacities.
- Promote dialogue among the community, public institutions, territorial organizations, the education sector, tourism, culture, emergency teams, specialists and researchers.
- Integrate local knowledge, community experience and technical expertise.
- Strengthen risk communication with clear, relevant and useful messages for families, schools, landowners, accommodations and organizations.
- Develop recommendations applicable to Rapa Nui, especially to the Haŋa Roa interface.
- Promote a Haŋa Roa Declaration as an initial commitment to prioritize prevention.
- Create a minimum follow-up and cooperation agenda among island territories.
Strategic themes of the meeting
The symposium will address wildfire prevention from a community, territorial and inter-island perspective.
Social prevention of fire
Education, shared responsibility, community organization, local leadership and risk reduction before the emergency.
Climate change and island risk
Drought, rising temperatures, pressure on water, vulnerability of small islands and climate adaptation.
Education, youth and risk communication
Schools, young people, community campaigns, clear language, local media, radio, social networks and preventive communication at home.
Territorial management and combustible vegetation
Preventive land management, clearing, firebreaks, low-flammability species, critical areas and territorial planning.
Preparedness in isolation
Community actions when an emergency unfolds and local resources may be exceeded.
Appropriate technology and monitoring
Use of simple alert tools, territorial information and support systems for prevention.
Cooperation between islands
Exchange of experiences, contacts, collaborative projects and creation of a trans-Pacific community prevention network.
A one-day event in two main blocks
The event will be organized into two major blocks: the first focused on Rapa Nui and continental Chile, and the second dedicated to Pacific experiences and international cooperation.
The program is under development and may be updated as speakers, schedules and participating institutions are confirmed.
Block 1: Rapa Nui, local prevention and community challenges
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Rapa Nui time
| Rapa Nui time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Accreditation and welcome | Registration, simple coffee service and initial audiovisual connection. |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Opening | Institutional welcome, territorial greeting and presentation of the symposium’s purpose. |
| 11:15 – 11:35 | Rapa Nui context | Wildfire risk, climate change, the Haŋa Roa interface, heritage and community challenges. |
| 11:35 – 12:15 | Panel 1: Community prevention in Rapa Nui | Local experiences such as Prepared Community, Safe School, Safe Accommodation and territorial management. |
| 12:15 – 12:35 | Dialogue with the audience | Questions from the auditorium and online participants. |
| 12:35 – 13:10 | Panel 2: Experience from continental Chile | Lessons on the urban-rural interface, social prevention and territorial coordination. |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | Local block synthesis | Key messages and questions for the international block. |
Technical break and international coordination
Estimated time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rapa Nui time. During this break, technical tests will be carried out with remote speakers, along with interpretation checks, presentation backups and audio/video adjustments for the international block.
Block 2: Pacific experiences and cooperation
3:00 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Rapa Nui time
| Rapa Nui time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 15:00 – 15:10 | Reopening | Greeting to connected territories and rules for the international block. |
| 15:10 – 15:30 | Hawai‘i experience | Risk communication, community preparedness or post-emergency lessons. |
| 15:30 – 15:50 | Fiji or Marshall Islands experience | Climate adaptation, community management or preventive education. |
| 15:50 – 16:10 | Australia experience | Applied science, fuel management, prepared communities or preventive technology. |
| 16:10 – 16:30 | Brief questions | Questions from Rapa Nui and the international chat. |
| 16:30 – 16:40 | Technical break | Adjustments, rest and transition. |
| 16:40 – 17:00 | Samoa or Aotearoa experience | Community management, climate adaptation or local preparedness. |
| 17:00 – 17:20 | Panel: What can Rapa Nui apply? | Guided conversation on viable measures for small islands. |
| 17:20 – 17:50 | Haŋa Roa recommendations | Synthesis of lessons learned, next steps and commitments. |
| 17:50 – 18:50 | Closing | Acknowledgements, announcement of the final document and continuity. |
International times will be confirmed with each speaker according to their territory and time zone.
Prevention is a shared task
The symposium is aimed at people, organizations and institutions interested in strengthening community-based wildfire prevention in Rapa Nui and other Pacific island territories.
Community, institutions and territories can learn together before the emergency.
A real hybrid symposium
The meeting will combine in-person participation in Haŋa Roa with online participation by speakers, attendees and institutions from different Pacific territories. The hybrid format will help overcome distance and cost barriers, connecting Rapa Nui with international experiences that can provide concrete lessons for community-based wildfire prevention.
In-person hub in Rapa Nui
The auditorium in Haŋa Roa will be the main meeting point, with participation from the local community, institutions, organizations and territorial actors.
International online participation
Speakers and attendees from other territories will be able to participate through Zoom Webinars, supported by digital moderation.
Complementary broadcast
When technical conditions allow, the symposium will be streamed through institutional YouTube to broaden its reach.
Interaction during the event
There will be questions from the room, moderated chat, prioritized online questions and recording of lessons for the final systematization.
Audiovisual recording
The event will be recorded to generate subsequent products, including educational capsules, a summary video and outreach materials.
Expected results of the symposium
The symposium will not end with the July 22 event. Its lessons will be systematized and converted into useful materials for the community, institutions and participating territories.
Recommendations document
A brief, clear and actionable report with good practices applicable to Rapa Nui and especially to the Haŋa Roa interface.
Haŋa Roa Declaration
An initial commitment document to prioritize prevention, combustible vegetation management, public education and cooperation between islands.
Summary video
A 3- to 6-minute audiovisual capsule for public outreach.
Educational capsules
Short videos with practical lessons for the community, schools, social networks and local media.
Audiovisual recording
Complete record of the symposium presentations and panels.
Contact database
Directory of institutions, communities, specialists and allies for future collaborative actions.
Digital folder
Repository with presentations, photographs, recordings, final report and communication materials.
Follow-up plan
Action agenda at 3, 6 and 12 months to give continuity to commitments.
Register for the symposium
In-person participation will have limited capacity. Online participation will be available for people, organizations and institutions from Rapa Nui, continental Chile, Pacific territories and other places interested in community-based wildfire prevention.
In-person participation in Rapa Nui
For the local community, territorial organizations, institutions, educational establishments, the tourism sector, emergency teams and invited participants.
Online participation
For speakers, international attendees, institutions, researchers and people interested in following the symposium remotely.
Essential details for participation
Reference times for the international block
The international block will take place in the afternoon in Rapa Nui, making it easier to connect with western Pacific territories during the morning of the following day.
| Territory | Local date | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Hawai‘i | Wednesday, July 22 | 11:00 – 15:00 |
| California | Wednesday, July 22 | 14:00 – 18:00 |
| Rapa Nui | Wednesday, July 22 | 15:00 – 19:00 |
| Santiago, Chile | Wednesday, July 22 | 17:00 – 21:00 |
| Palau | Thursday, July 23 | 06:00 – 10:00 |
| Melbourne, Australia | Thursday, July 23 | 07:00 – 11:00 |
| Fiji | Thursday, July 23 | 09:00 – 13:00 |
| Marshall Islands | Thursday, July 23 | 09:00 – 13:00 |
| Aotearoa / New Zealand | Thursday, July 23 | 09:00 – 13:00 |
| Samoa | Thursday, July 23 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
Times will be confirmed individually with each speaker and may be adjusted in the final version of the program.
Organization
The symposium is convened from Rapa Nui with the purpose of strengthening community-based wildfire prevention and promoting cooperation between Pacific island territories.
With support from local, national and international institutions linked to wildfire prevention, risk management, climate adaptation, heritage, education, tourism and island communities.
Convened by
In collaboration with
Supported by
Common questions before registering
Is the symposium in person or online?
The symposium will be hybrid. There will be in-person participation in Haŋa Roa, Rapa Nui, and online participation for speakers, attendees and institutions from other territories.
Who can participate?
Community members, territorial organizations, public institutions, educational establishments, the tourism sector, emergency teams, specialists, researchers and people interested in community-based wildfire prevention can participate.
Is there a participation fee?
Information on cost or free participation will be confirmed by the organization. Registration will make it possible to manage spaces and send updated information.
Will translation be available?
Spanish and English are planned as working languages, with interpretation depending on the profile of international speakers.
Will a certificate of participation be issued?
The organization may confirm this information during the registration stage. It is recommended to include a field in the form to record interest in a certificate.
Will the event be recorded?
Yes. An audiovisual record of the symposium is expected in order to produce follow-up materials, including a summary video, educational capsules and recommendation documents.
Where will the materials be published?
The materials will be available in a symposium folder or website, including the program, recordings, presentations, final report and communication materials.
Why is it being held in Rapa Nui?
Rapa Nui faces specific challenges associated with climate change, drought, combustible vegetation, the urban expansion of Haŋa Roa, territorial isolation and the protection of its cultural and natural heritage. For this reason, the island is a strategic place to convene Pacific learning on community-based prevention.
Preventing before the emergency is a community decision.
Rapa Nui calls on the Pacific to share experiences, strengthen local capacities and protect life, heritage and territory.