Helen Hakena

As Executive Director of the Agency, Helen coordinates 70 volunteers and 9 staff. She was actively involved in taking a stand to end the war in Bougainville and in local reconciliation processes after the fighting ceased. She now works for social rehabilitation, with youth, women and girls and village communities. Her work includes addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse suffered by women. Her work in the peace process has included weapons disposal, and involvement with women’s groups, schools, the police, magistrates, Chiefs, government organisations and NGOs. She has a weekly radio program in Bougainville that reaches the atolls, Solomon Islands and Rabaul. Helen received the Millenium Peace Prize in March 2001.