The 2025 Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders’ Summit (PAELS) brought together young leaders from across the Pacific, Australia and First Nations communities for a week of formation, relationship-building and high-level advocacy.
Now in it’s fourth year, PAELS is a joint initiative of Micah* and and the Pacific Conference of Churches.
The 2025 summit included delegates from our partner churches across the Pacific, ten delegates from the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) and three UCA elders there to support in pastoral roles.
Delegates spent the first days deep in worship, cultural exchange and advocacy training, before a day spent lobbying Australia’s federal leaders on the urgent issues that matter to them and their communities.
For many, the most significant moments happened well before meeting with the Members of Parliament. Delegates spent their early days in worship, story-sharing and cultural practice, creating a space that felt honest, vulnerable and deeply relational.
Uniting Church PAELS delegates Raul Sugunananthan and Michael Ramaidama
Returning delegate Raul Sugunananthan (pictured left) said he continues to be shaped by PAELS.
“The fourth annual Pacific Emerging Leaders’ Summit was yet again a profoundly transformative experience bringing together a unique combination of faith, culture and action for social justice,” he said.
“While the day in parliament meeting federal politicians was a powerful opportunity for the prophetic voice of the Church to speak, it’s the days leading up that left a lasting impact.”
“Those days of worship, training and talanoa are what stay with me.”
First-time delegate and UnitingWorld Project Manager Shivani Patel described PAELS as “an incredible experience that created genuine space for connection and sharing.”
“The delegates, alumni, and elders spanned from across the Pacific, First Nations, Pacific diaspora, and an extended Australian family, all of whom are doing meaningful, impactful work in their communities.”
She said the environment was marked by warmth, empathy and openness.
“People listened deeply. Delegates, alumni and elders created a space where everyone could be honest and vulnerable. It felt like a community that extends far beyond the week in Canberra.”
Uniting Church delegates and elders at the Government House reception.
Her reflections echoed the strength of the growing Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders’ Network (PAELN), which stays connected outside in-person events like PAELS.
Throughout the summit week, delegates prepared together for meetings with politicians, drawing on The Pacific We See framework, a set of priorities shaped over four years of dialogue across the region.
The advocacy day inside Parliament House saw delegates take part in 45 meetings with MPs, senators and ministers. They shared personal stories, realities from their communities and calls to action grounded in their own experience.
“Meeting politicians was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Shivani.
“PAELS delegates shared their stories and daily realities during meetings, creating a bridge between Pacific and First Nations communities and Australian leaders. The politicians my group spoke to were open and respectful, and were interested in understanding how they could work with us.”
Two major events complemented the advocacy: a reception hosted by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and an evening at Government House with the Governor-General, Ms Sam Mostyn AC, alongside senior government and opposition figures.
UnitingWorld Program Manager Shivani Patel with Governor General, Ms Sam Mostyn AC
Delegates shared culture, conversation and song in Indigenous and local languages, moments that affirmed the significance of the network and the maturity it has developed in just four years.
Beyond the formal program, delegates connected over shared meals, kava evenings and a vibrant cultural night, where dances and traditions from across the Pacific were performed with pride.
Shivani left feeling energised for the work ahead.
“PAELS left me feeling inspired and motivated in my own work,” she said.
“It reaffirmed the power of locally led action. Local communities have generations of experience and a deep understanding of their challenges. Our role is to listen first. This week offered a rare chance to learn from one another in a deep and meaningful way.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong hosted PAELS delegates at Parliament House.
PAELS 2025 highlighted again the leadership, wisdom and courage rising across the Pacific and First Nations communities, as well as the growing recognition from Australian leaders of the essential role churches and faith-based organisations play across the region.
*Micah is supported by a coalition of Australia’s leading Christian international development agencies, including UnitingWorld. Find out more.