Miss Pacific Islands, Litara Ieremia-Allan, has called for Pacific communities to deepen their cultural ties to create safer online spaces for youth. At a World Safer Internet Day event hosted by the Online Safety Commission Fiji, Ieremia-Allan expressed her concern regarding the increasing detachment of young individuals from their cultural roots, despite their heightened digital connectivity.
In her speech, she noted the irony of youth being heavily engaged with technology yet becoming estranged from their cultural stories and practices. “Our young people are so connected on devices, and yet they are so disconnected from the cultural practices and cultural stories,” she stated. Ieremia-Allan believes that one of the solutions is empowering young people to reclaim their cultural identities in the digital realm.
Her sentiments are aligned with the theme for the upcoming Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026: “One Pacific. One Voice: Standing together for online safety.” This year’s focus is on digital empowerment and cultural resilience, promoting a unified approach to online wellbeing among contestants from the region.
Ieremia-Allan urged communities to find innovative ways to integrate cultural lessons into the digital space, enabling youth to reconnect with their identities while online. She reflected on a recent experience in Sabeto Village, where contestants learned about traditional safety practices and highlighted the value of intergenerational knowledge in establishing guidelines that enhance community accountability.
With digital engagement becoming increasingly significant in Pacific life, she stressed the importance of creating responses that are rooted in traditional cultural frameworks. “Your lightest touch can move mountains,” she said, emphasizing the collective effort needed to cultivate safer virtual environments.
In addition to these discussions, Miss Fiji Ailava Samuels welcomed Ieremia-Allan and fellow contestants to a dinner hosted at Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island. The event celebrated local culture and unity, allowing contestants to connect with community representatives over traditional cuisine.
The pageant activities will proceed with Research Presentations, Sarong Judging, Contestant Interviews, and Talent Judging, culminating in the coronation of a new Miss Pacific Islands on February 14. The titleholder will serve as a representative for cultural pride, women’s leadership, and advocacy for online safety across the Pacific region, offering hope and inspiration for future generations.