Pacific Islands Political Studies Association

The Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) was established in Hawaii in 1987 at a meeting of Pacific Islands scholars who recognised the need to stimulate and coordinate research and other academic activities to develop our knowledge and understanding of the region. In its early years PIPSA was associated with Brigham Young University in Hawaii, then the University of Guam, Monash University and the University of Canterbury, Christchurch NZ. At the 2002 Conference, it was decided in the interest of continuity that the Association should be based at the University of the Sunshine Coast with Dr. Ivan Molloy continuing as President for the next three - five years to oversee a more active research role. There has been a commitment from the start for PIPSA to serve the countries and peoples of the region by providing political, economic and social analysis of contemporary issues. PIPSA is now a leading international academic body devoted to the study of the Pacific Islands states and territories; their societies, politics and systems of government, and international relations. While the majority of PIPSA’s members are academics, members also come from the ranks of Aid workers, business people, the clergy, military officers, politicians and public servants. Previous PIPSA Conferences have been held in Noosa and Melbourne, Australia, the Cook Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Palau, New Zealand and Samoa.

PIPSA conference 2002 publication

The "Eye of the Cyclone: Issues in Pacific Security" is the first publication of the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA). The book has been published by Pacific Islands Political Studies Association in cooperation with the University of the Sunshine Coast. The theme of THE 2002 PIPSA Conference was: ‘Pacific Islands Security: Old Challenges, New Threats’ and as such it proved most timely in the current post-September 11 political climate. Over three days many dimensions of security currently concerning the Pacific were explored including terrorism, coups, ‘failed states,’ asylum seekers and the ‘Pacific Solution’, the protection of the environment, drugs and organized crime. An open public forum was also held concentrating exclusively on terrorism. The book was a compilation of many of the papers presented at this Conference as well as two of the public forum addresses concerning terrorism.