'Helpem Fren' by Prof. Michael Wesley
On March 21st 2023, Asialink will host a book launch for Professor Michael Wesley’s new book, Helpem Fren. Prof. Wesley a Professor of International Relations whose research focuses on Australian foreign policy, security, and state-building interventions in the Asia-Pacific, and is Deputy Vice Chancellor International at the University of Melbourne.
Date: Tuesday March 21, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Venue: Queens College, The University of Melbourne.
Speakers
- Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice Chancellor International at the University of Melbourne
- Mr Dean Wickham, Honorary Consul General to Solomon Islands in Victora
- Debra McDougall, Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Melbourne
- Mr Nicholas Coppel, former Special Coordinator of RAMSI
On March 21st 2023, Asialink will host a book launch for Professor Michael Wesley’s new book, Helpem Fren. Prof. Wesley a Professor of International Relations whose research focuses on Australian foreign policy, security, and state-building interventions in the Asia-Pacific, and is Deputy Vice Chancellor International at the University of Melbourne.
Helpem Fren explores the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Beginning in 2003, the invention was to remain there for fourteen years, costing over $2 billion and involving thousands of soldiers, police and public servants from Australia and across the Pacific. It was remarkably successful in an age of disastrous interventions. And yet, by the time it was withdrawn, RAMSI had largely vanished from the Australian public's mind.
Helpem Fren is the first comprehensive history of Australia and the RAMSI intervention. Drawing on still-classified official documents and over thirty interviews, it records the preconditions, motivations and dynamics of RAMSI between 2003 and 2017.
As Australia confronts the most challenging environment in the Pacific for seventy years, Helpem Fren offers readers a deeper understanding of the recent history of Australia's involvement with Solomon Islands and the Pacific.
For event queries, please contact Grace Corcoran at grace.corcoran@asialink.unimelb.edu.au