Photos courtesy of Salote Covilati
Salote Covilati is a geospatial information specialist who supports community-based resilience planning in Fiji. In a GEF Voices interview, she shared advice for young people seeking to apply their technical skills to make change, mitigate the climate crisis, and improve lives in their own communities.
What do you do for a living?
I am currently serving as the Pacific Geospatial Women Network Technical Assistant at the Pacific Community (SPC) in Suva, Fiji, and have been in this role for the past two years. I support a mix of technical and community focused work including assisting with geospatial data collection and mapping using open-source software, and supporting training programs for data collection and mapping for women and local communities in the Pacific.
Right now, my focus areas are community-based mapping and training, especially strengthening women’s capacity in geospatial tools in the region. I’m particularly interested in making these tools more accessible to communities and ensuring women are confident in using them for data collection and decision making, while also integrating traditional knowledge and practices.
How did you get into this line of work?
My studies in geospatial science at the University of the South Pacific sparked my interest in using mapping and data for real-world solutions, especially in the Pacific. I helped start a geographic information system (GIS) club and joined mapping projects that boosted my technical skills and confidence. After earning my degree in 2023, I became a part-time teaching assistant while pursuing postgraduate studies. Later, I joined the Pacific Geospatial Women Network as a Technical Assistant, focusing on community mapping, training, and supporting women in making geospatial tools accessible.
Has anyone you have met through your work made a lasting impact on you?
While no single person stands out, I have learned a great deal from various community members and colleagues. In particular, working with women in local communities has shown me their dedication and resilience — balancing family, household duties, and even long journeys for essentials like fishing or water, all while pursuing new skills. Their motivation and perseverance continually inspire and inform my own approach to work.
What life lessons has your job taught you?
Working as a technical assistant with the Pacific Geospatial Women Network has highlighted the need for patience and adaptability when engaging diverse communities. I learned that simplifying technical concepts and communicating — often in local languages — empowers more women to participate. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern geospatial tools creates more relevant, sustainable results. Collaboration and inclusivity are crucial; meaningful progress happens when all voices, especially those of women and marginalized groups, are included in decision making.
The state of the global environment is concerning. What gives you hope?
The impact that people continue to make. Through my work, I have seen how local community members, especially women, are willing to learn, adapt, and take action when they are given the right support and tools.
Additionally, I am encouraged by the growing awareness around sustainability and the way modern approaches are increasingly recognizing the value of traditional knowledge. When we combine community knowledge with new technologies, it creates more meaningful and sustainable solutions, especially in the Pacific region.
What advice would you someone interested in a career like yours?
GIS is a very broad field with so many ways you can apply your technical skills, from mapping and data analysis to support development and decision making. I would encourage young people to explore different areas and find what they are passionate about. Also: be patient and open to learning. This kind of technical work takes time and requires a lot of patience, but it is very rewarding when you see the impact it has on others.
