Anthony J Regan

Anthony Regan is a Fellow in the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at The Australian National University, Canberra. His main field of research is the law and politics of constitutions, conflict and reconciliation, and he has worked in Papua New Guinea, Uganda, East Timor and Solomon Islands. He was an advisor to the Bougainville Parties in the Bougainville peace process, 1997 to 2005.

Bougainville before the conflict »

Publication date: August 2015
One of the most beautiful island groups of the Pacific, Bougainville has a remarkable history. Tragically, it is as the site of devastating civil conflict that Bougainville is perhaps best known. In exploring the rich environmental, cultural and social heritage of Bougainville before the conflict, this collection provides an insight into the long-term causes of the crisis. In doing so, it surveys such topics as Bougainville’s prehistory and traditional cultures, the impact of German and Australian colonialism, the attempts by disparate local cultures to find a common identity, the assertion of political autonomy in the face of coercion to integrate with Papua New Guinea, and contemporary efforts to resolve conflict and plan a viable future. A landmark collaboration between expert commentators on Bougainville and Bougainvilleans themselves, this volume provides a comprehensive picture for those seeking to understand Bougainville’s history and future directions. Bougainville before the conflict was published in association with the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project, which is supported by The Australian National University and the Commonwealth of Australia.