“It’s still OK” – Beyond Good Intentions: Building Reciprocal Partnerships in the Solomon Islands

30 September, 1–2 pm AEST

What does genuine reciprocity look like in international community engagement? Drawing on more than 17 years of partnership between Australian Catholic University and education partners in the Solomon Islands, this session explores how trust, humility, and long-term commitment have shaped a collaboration that creates mutual learning and lasting impact for all partners, demonstrating that successful engagement is built on relationships rather than transactions. Through practical examples, research findings, and honest reflections, the session highlights the conditions that enable authentic, mutually beneficial partnerships and considers how reciprocity can move from aspiration to action in community-engaged practice. Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering reciprocity, navigating cultural differences, and building partnerships that endure beyond individual projects or funding cycles.

Speaker: Associate Professor Mellita Jones OAM | SFHEA  Australian Catholic University

Associate Professor Mellita Jones is an academic in teacher education at Australian Catholic University whose work is concerned with effective education for a socially just world. Her career has been grounded in a deep commitment to social justice, community engagement, and transformative learning. Her teaching, research, and service focus on science teacher education and international development, with a particular emphasis on culturally responsive and community-engaged approaches. Mellita has led and sustained long-term international partnerships across the Pacific, most notably a 17-year collaboration in the Solomon Islands with the Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Honiara. This work has supported teacher professional learning, strengthened local education systems, and fostered reciprocal learning between Solomon Islands educators and Australian pre-service teachers. She has also contributed to education initiatives in Timor-Leste, applying participatory and asset-based approaches to community development and capacity building. Her scholarship centres on community-engaged learning, teacher professional growth, and science education, including leadership of the Solomon Islands Deaf Project, which has enhanced access, equity, and outcomes for deaf learners and communities. Mellita’s work integrates research, teaching, and service to create sustainable impact, aligning closely with a mission of social justice and global equity, thus addressing broad global education priorities. She has secured competitive funding, published in national and international journals, and received multiple awards recognising excellence in teaching, community engagement, mission-driven impact, and she has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for Service to Education. Mellita is committed to advancing education that is relational, contextually responsive, and oriented towards the common good.