The head of the Australian agency that coordinates national policing information systems will speak about his experiences during the 2003 civil unrest in the Solomon Islands at The University of Queensland next month.
Ben McDevitt, APM, CSI, head of CrimTrac, will present this year’s annual World Peace and Understanding lecture on May 26.
He will speak and show photographs of his experiences as part of Operation Helpem Fren, the 2003 Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
Mr McDevitt planned and deployed an Australian Federal Police (AFP) led peacekeeping operation to restore law and order to the Solomons, then in a state of virtual civil war and on the verge of collapse.
He subsequently served in the Solomons as Commander of the multinational Participating Police Force and as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force for a year.
On July 24 2004, the first anniversary of the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission, Mr McDevitt was awarded the Cross of Solomon Islands for distinguished service to the people of the Islands.
Prior to his work in the Solomons, Mr McDevitt had been Operations Superintendent with the United Nations civilian police in Cyprus and in 1998 served as a police advisor to the multinational Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group.
In October 2002, Mr McDevitt helped coordinate AFP involvement in the joint investigation into the Bali bombings and the following year, was appointed as a Member in the Order of Australia for his work there.
International House at UQ established the annual World Peace and Understanding public lectures in 1967 and they have included such guest speakers as Justice Michael Kirby, Kevin Rudd, MP, and Richard Woolcott, AC.
The 2005 lecture was delivered by retired High Court of Australia Justice Mary Gaudron, QC, on the Rule of Law.
Covering a range of globally topical issues, the lectures aim to promote awareness of world situations.
Mr McDevitt’s lecture titled Operation Helpem Fren – peace via justice will be held in the Ivor Cribb Room, International House, 5 Rock Street, St Lucia, starting at 7pm.
It will conclude with a wine and cheese supper.
• International House was founded in 1965 and has since welcomed thousands of students from more than 90 countries including Australia. The college is a co-educational facility and is affiliated with Rotary International. It shares a common set of ideals and aspirations with more than 15 International Houses around the world.
Media: For more information about the lecture, contact June Kant at International House on 07 3721 2471 or email ihpa@uq.edu.au
For other inquiries, contact the Australian Federal Police media unit on 02 6275 7100 or afpnationalmedia@afp.gov.au
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