John Ondawame


John Otto Ondawame was an academic and activist of the West Papua independence movement. He was the head of West Papua People's Representative Office at Port Vila, Vanuatu, international spokesperson for the Free Papua Movement, and member of the Papua Presidium Council. He obtained his PhD degree in political science from the Australian National University in Canberra in 2000, MSc degree from the University of Western Sydney in 1995, Graduate Diplomas from the University of Sydney in 1994 and the Uppsala University in 1986, and Bachelor of Arts degree from the Cenderawasih University in 1976. He held Swedish nationality.
Ondawame carried out extensive peacemaking and public awareness campaigns in various countries, promoting a peaceful solution to the conflict in West Papua, and establishing solidarity links among oppressed, colonised and indigenous peoples.
He was a recipient of the 2001 Reconciliation Award bestowed by the Australians Against Execution group, and the 1972 President Suharto Award for Academic Excellence.
He died on 5 September 2014.

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