Overview

Australia and the origins of the Pacific Islands Forum presents
a lively history of the genesis of the Pacific Islands Forum, focusing
on Australia's involvement. Beginning in early 1970, Australia grappled
with the concept of a new international political forum in response to
the aspirations of the Pacific's emerging nations. The formation of the
forum was accompanied by a colourful international debate. There was agreement
on some issues, and disagreement on others. Australia and the origins
of the Pacific Islands Forum argues that this was part of a process
by which relationships formerly influenced by colonial forces came to
be characterised by the interests of sovereign states.

The publication is the first in a new series of short historical narratives
entitled Australia in the World: the foreign affairs
and trade files.
The aim of the series is to provide Australians with readable and well-researched
stories from our foreign and trade history. The series will cover not
only 'high policy', but also little-known aspects of the department's
past work such as consular operations and secure communications. The department
aims to produce at least two monographs in this new series each year.

Download extract

Download an extract of the publication containing the table of contents, the foreword, preface and introduction (PDF - 875 KB)