History of PIMA

Participants at a PREMO training workshop in Pohnpei, 1996

In 1989 following on from many informal contacts, the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery hosted the first international workshop for strengthening and developing museums and cultural centres in the region. One of the results was a concerted push by the regions museum Directors to establish a Pacific Islands museums association, which would provide collective strength and effective gathering of resources for training, advocacy, and the promotion of excellence in heritage management.

In 1990-1991 two conservators, Colin Pearson from the University of Canberra and Gael de Guichen from the International Centre for the Study of the Restoration and the Preservation of Cultural Property (ICCROM) developed a needs assessment of the Pacific Islands Heritage preservation, which was called PREMO (PREservation of Museums in Oceania). The assessment demonstrated that heritage collections and sites of the Pacific Islands faced severe damage from climate, unplanned development, and lack of skilled staff and training. PREMO operated from 1994-1998 and its primary objective was to improve preventative conservation by means of international training. Another important aim was to form a permanent association that could serve Pacific museums in all fields of activity.

PIMA has taken a leadership role in the region since its inception. It achievements since 1994 have been substantial.

Throughout 1993 and 1994, Pacific Islands museum directors were instrumental in ensuring a series of resolutions for the formation of such an association, at the general assemblies of the Commonwealth Association of Museums, American Museums Association and International Council of Museums (ICOM) and ICOM Asia-Pacific. The first PIMA Board was selected in 1994 and the associations’ vision, mission and aims were first developed in 1997.

Under the framework of PREMO from 1994-1998 the Museums of the Pacific Islands states formed partnership with ICCROM and other organisations and sponsors such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) UNESCO, WHC, DFAIT Canada, Canadian Museum Association, Australian Museums, Canberra University, Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art gallery, Federated States of Micronesia, Australian Archives, Belau National Museum, Association for the Development of Kanak Culture, Territorial Museum of New Caledonia, and the Fiji Museum. Together with these partners the association implemented a range of activities in training, professional networking and public/national awareness.

In 1997 the SPC agreed to act as the PIMA Secretariat until PIMA achieved its complete independence.  In late 1998, SPC and ICCROM initiated an intern position of Acting Secretary General to be placed within the Cultural Affairs Programme of SPC. The intern was provided from the Canadian Youth International Internship Program sponsored by DFAIT and the Canadian Museum Association (CMA). In May 1999 the intern was promoted to -the position of Secretary General (a role she held until 2001) and was sponsored by the Government of Canada through its volunteer organisation CUSO. In that same month, May 1999, PIMA was incorporated as a non-profit organisation in Fiji where it was located at the offices of the Fiji Museum. From 2001-2003 a Fijian National was employed as the Secretary General and from 2003-October 2005 staff members of the Fiji Museum undertook Secretariat duties. From October 2005 until now, an Australian volunteer has held the position as Secretary General.

Recent developments and future work program

In February 2006, PIMA’s Executive Board met at their AGM and made the decision to relocate the Secretariat from its base at the Fiji Museum to the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, deciding that it was time to share the responsibility of hosting the Secretariat around the region. Rotating the Secretariat around the museums of the region will help keep the Association responsive to the needs of its constituents, develop local knowledge of the heritage sector in various countries, and share the benefits such as workshops, regional meetings and international symposia around the museums of the region.

PIMA opened its doors for business in Vanuatu on 26 June 2006, and without delay began a busy program of activities. PIMA’s 8th Training Workshop was held from 26-29 June on “Building for the Future: Designing New Museums for the Pacific”. 

In October 2006 at the 3rd Melanesian Arts Festival in Fiji, PIMA partnered with SPC, the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, Culture and Heritage and UNESCO to deliver its 9th Training workshop on “Governance for Pacific Cultural Institutions: A Cultural Focus on Performance Management and Achieving Sustainable Outcomes”

Another exciting recent development for PIMA has been the completion of the long-awaited Code of Ethics for Pacific Islands Museums and Cultural Centres. This document was developed in direct response to the newly revised version of the ICOM Code of Professional Ethics (Paris, 2006). Issues discussed in the Code include repatriation, the valuation of collections, the promotion of research policies for museums, relationships and obligations to the community, and the training of staff.

PIMA’s busy program for 2007 includes the development of a regional museum training strategy, a symposium on Intangible Cultural Heritage to be held in Taiwan in October, providing practical support for pacific museums undergoing renovation and fundraising projects, an upgraded website, attendance at international museum conferences, and assisting with the election of the inaugural Board for the International ICOMOS Committee of the Pacific Islands (ICOMOS Pasifika).

Key dates in the development of the PREMO/PIMA Secretariat

1994 - 1997     The International Centre for the Study of the Conservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) served as co-ordinator of PREMO (Mr Neal Putt)

1997 - 1998    The Secretariat of the Pacific Community Cultural Affairs Programme acted temporarily as Secretariat of PIMA (Mr Yves Corbel)

1998 - 2001    The Secretary General's position was filled by an agreement between PIMA and CUSO (Canada) and moved to the Fiji Museum (Ms Jodi Bacchiochi)

2001 - 2003    With continued support from CUSO until 2003, the Secretariat was based at the Fiji Museum (Ms Lata Yaqona)

2003 – 2005    Fiji Museum Director (Ms Sagale Buadromo) and Fiji Museum Accounts Officer (Mr Jonal Singh) undertake duties as the PIMA Secretariat

2005 – 2006    Australian Youth Ambassador for Development is appointed as Secretary General, based at the Fiji Museum (Ms Meredith Blake)

2006 – 2007     The Secretariat relocates to the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and a Volunteer for International Development from Australia (Ms Meredith Blake) continues on as Secretary General

Feb. 2007    Following the election of the inaugural ICOMOS Pasifika Board, the PIMA Board agreed to take on Secretariat duties for ICOMOS Pasifika – effectively uniting the activities, membership and management of the two associations
June 2007    PIMA learns that it has been successful in attracting UNESCO funds under a regional application to the Participation Program submitted by the countries of Fiji, Palau, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, to integrate, manage and develop the Secretariat for the two associations

July 2007    Thanks to a generous grant from the French Embassy in Vanuatu PIMA and ICOMOS Pasifika are able to employ an Assistant Secretary General (Mr Robert Koran)

Oct. 2007    In an effort to shorten the name of the Secretariat (Secretariat for the Boards of the Pacific Islands Museums Association and ICOMOS Pasifika) the title ‘Pacific Heritage Network’ was born.

Key dates of PREMO/PIMA Training Courses

2006    Governance for Pacific Cultural Institutions (PIMA Training Course 9) Fiji

2006    Building for the Future: Designing New Museums for the Pacific (PIMA Training Course 8) Vanuatu

2006    Sustainable Heritage Development for Pacific Islands Museums and Cultural Centres (Australian National University Training Course with PIMA) Australia

2001     Audio Visual Workshop.  (PIMA Training Course 7) Vanuatu

2001    Cultural Interpretation of Heritage Sites in the Pacific. (PIMA Training Course 6) Palau

2000    Conservation and Design of a Traveling Exhibition, (PIMA Training Course 5) New Caledonia

1999     Museums, Management and the Community. (PIMA Directors Workshop 3) Vanuatu

1998     Techniques of Preserving Pacific Heritage Collections (PREMO/PIMA Training Course 4) Tahiti, French Polynesia

1997     Integrated Pest Management (PREMO/PIMA Training Course 3) Fiji

1996     Preserving Heritage Sites (PREMO/PIMA Training Course 2) Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

1994     Preserving Audio Visual Records (PREMO/PIMA Training Course 1) New Caledonia

1993     Disaster Preparedness.  (PREMO Directors Workshop 2) Palau

1993     Preservation by Museums of the Pacific Island States (PREMO Directors Workshop 1) Palau