History of PICISOC
From an informal regional ICT network in the 1990s to a Pacific-wide Internet Society chapter supporting collaboration, dialogue and digital development.
Built through Pacific cooperation
PICISOC's origins can be traced to IT-PacNet, which began in 1994 as an informal technical meeting involving the Forum Fisheries Agency and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
The group provided a space to compare ICT developments, implementation experiences and success stories across regional organisations.
As participation grew, the network expanded to include ICT administrators and managers from Pacific Island countries, laying the foundation for wider regional collaboration.
The Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society was formed during an IT-PacNet meeting hosted by the Forum Fisheries Agency in Solomon Islands.
PICISOC through the years
Key developments in the growth of PICISOC and the wider Pacific Internet community.
IT-PacNet is established
IT-PacNet began as an informal and technical meeting involving the Forum Fisheries Agency and SOPAC. It enabled regional ICT managers to compare developments, projects and lessons learned.
Regional participation expands
More organisations and Pacific Island countries became involved, and IT-PacNet developed into a regional meeting of ICT administrators and managers.
PICISOC is formed
Following regional discussions and a recommendation by Sam Taufao, the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society was formed during IT-PacNet in Solomon Islands.
Regional ICT cooperation matures
IT-PacNet evolved into a Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific ICT working group, with greater attention given to regional ICT policy and coordination.
Board and Executive established
As PICISOC membership and activity grew, a Board and Executive were established to support the organisation's governance and regional work.
PacINET grows into a regional conference
PICISOC's annual meetings developed into PacINET, bringing together practitioners, governments, organisations, businesses and individuals to openly discuss ICT and Internet issues.
A continuing regional role
PICISOC continues to support Internet development, governance, technical cooperation, digital inclusion, cybersecurity and knowledge sharing throughout the Pacific.
Supporting the Pacific Internet community
PICISOC has provided a regional platform where participants can exchange views, share knowledge and collaborate on matters affecting ICT and Internet development.
Its work continues to bring Pacific voices into regional and global Internet discussions while supporting practical cooperation across the region.
- Regional Internet governance and policy dialogue.
- Technical-community development and knowledge sharing.
- Collaboration among governments, civil society and industry.
- Digital inclusion, accessibility and community participation.
- Cybersecurity awareness and regional capacity building.
Help shape PICISOC's next chapter
Join a regional community building on decades of Pacific cooperation and working toward an open, secure and inclusive digital future.
IT-PacNet was created in 1994 to see what ICT developments were being made by FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) and SOPAC , 2 regional organisations operating in the Pacific. This meant comparing notes, implementation and success stories. The meeting was informal and technical in nature. FFA IT manager at the time was Sam Taufao and SOPAC IT manager was Les Allinson.
It was agreed that more organisations should be brought in to the group the following year. Slowly it became apparent that the countries needed to be part of the process and IT-PacNet evolved into a meeting of IT Administrators and Managers from the Pacific region.
At around the same time, Sam Taufao (then working for FFA) came back from a meeting sponsored by UNESCO and recommended the creation of PICISOC – the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society. The Chapter was formed in 1999 during IT-PacNet in FFA, Solomon Islands.
IT-PacNet slowly evolved into a CROP (Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific) ICT Working Group (and concentrated more on dealing with CROP policies.
Meanwhile PICISOC grew and by 2002 a Board and Executive were in place. The general assemblies (annual meetings) became bigger and thus PacINET was born, and has since evolved to be the premier ICT conference for the Pacific region.
PacINET was able to re-group most of the original functions of IT-PacNet, an event where anyone can speak freely and share views on ICT/Internet for any organisation, government, the private sector, etc. or as an individual.
PICISOC’s focus is on ICT and Internet issues for the Pacific Islands region, and it works with various organisations and governments in ensuring the continuing development of ICT in the region.