Photo: 2018 Reuters

Photo: Reuters 2018

The Indonesian government is yet to honour its promise to allow United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to investigate human rights conditions in Papua and West Papua provinces. It is clear that parts of the Indonesian government remain hostile to the idea of greater transparency in the region.

Read more: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/19/indonesia-shuts-out-un-rights-chief-papua

In the news

  • Up to 192 people are believed to have drowned after a tourist ferry sank in Indonesia on Monday evening. More than 200 people are thought to have crammed aboard the small, rickety vessel to make the 40-minute journey across Lake Toba in North Sumatra.
  • Indonesia has seen steady economic growth over the last two decades, yet the manufacturing sector has continuously underperformed. This week’s Talking Indonesia podcast explores the decline in manufacturing and also what Indonesia can do to strengthen the industry going forward.
  • Before Indonesia sinks in its own notoriously mismanaged plastic waste, three young researchers from Gadjah Mada University have been developing a smart car equipped with technology to convert plastic to motor fuel.
  • Indonesia has received a World Bank loan of US$100 million for its National Urban Water Supply Project. The loan will enable the provision of water supply and sanitation to six million people in the country through promoting access to safe water and improving the performance of water service providers in underserved areas.
  • Dubbed the “Floating School”, the boat routinely collects dozens of teens and children from small islands in Pangkep, Sulawesi. The initiative is part of a non-formal education program created to empower youngsters who live in the small islands around the region.
  • The deep peatland forest in Indonesian Borneo is home to one of the world’s largest remaining populations of endangered orangutans. However, the habitat is under threat despite changes in the law designed to protect it.
  • Iwan Sunito left Indonesia nearly three decades ago to become one of Australia’s top property developers. Now, the Australian Property King has returned to Indonesia, joining forces with Jakarta-based resorts operator Pembangunan Jaya Ancol to develop a Rp 7 trillion apartment complex in North Jakarta.
  • Indonesia’s 260 million citizens each throw out an average of almost 300 kilograms of food annually. Now, an initiative A Blessing to Share aims to take a bite out of food waste, one wedding at a time.

On the blog

Events

  • Sydney, 23 June – Get a healthy dose of Indonesian dance, food and culture at the ASYIK Bazaar 2018 from 11:00am. AIYA NSW will have a stall at the event so please pop by and say hi!
  • Perth, 24 June – AIYA Western Australia is hosting a screening of the incredible Indonesian documentary, Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail at 3:30pm, University of Western Australia. Grab your tickets here to secure your spot!
  • Melbourne, 24 June – Love the AFL? Love AIYA? Join the Victoria Chapter to watch Collingwood v Carlton at the MCG this Sunday. Limited tickets available, register here if you’d like to come along.
  • Sydney, 25 June – From 13-15 August, the Conference of Indonesian Diaspora Youth will take place in Jakarta, open to Indonesian diaspora and Indonesianists from around the world. Come along to the KJRI in Sydney from 6:30pm to hear more about the conference and how you can get involved.
  • Hobart, 26 June – Join AIYA Tasmania at their first Language Exchange! A great way to improve your Indonesian and English skills, all language levels welcomed and encouraged to come.
  • Melbourne, 26 June – What’s happening in the Australia-Indonesia higher education space? On the 26 June, the Australia-Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) Victoria is hosting an education panel with an array of fantastic speakers keen to unpick some of the key issues in a critical sector for Indonesia. Click here for tickets and more information!
  • Sydney, 27 June – Join Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC) Postdoc Dr Jess Melvin as she talks about her book, The Army and the Indonesian Genocide, with The Australian Human Rights Institute and the Diplomacy Training Program from 1 – 2pm at the University of New South Wales Law Building. Register here!
  • Canberra, 28 June – The 2018 Indonesia Update book, “Indonesia is the new world: globalisation, nationalism and sovereignty” is being launched on 28 June 2018 at 5:30pm. The book will be launched by The Hon Chris Bowen MP. Please register through the link!
  • Sydney, 30 June Pull on your winter woollies and come join AIYA NSW for a great day of sightseeing and hiking in the Blue Mountains! This is an awesome opportunity to meet new AIYA members while enjoying some spectacular scenery just outside of Sydney. Please register before 29 June.

Opportunities

  • Join AIYA ACT! The Chapter is looking for an events officer and general committee members, please contact [email protected] to express your interest.
  • Are you a masters student in literature, history, computer science or area studies? The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KILTV) are offering 3-month research internships in ‘Digital humanities and traditional Indonesian literature’. Deadline for applications is 28 June.
  • Saksara, an Indonesia-based organisation dedicated to facilitating international research collaboration and transnational education, is searching for a new Research & Communications Associate in Bandung. Details attached. Be quick, applications will close at the end of June!
  • Study and intern in Indonesia in Summer 2019! Applications for ACICIS’ Professional Practica close 1 July! Placements are available in Law, Business, Creative Arts & Design, Sustainable Tourism and Journalism & Development Studies. $3,000 New Colombo Plan grants are available for eligible students.
  • For the first time, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is offering international students the Early Bird rate for the 4-Day Main Program Pass. Early Birds are on sale 16 July, and available until the full program is announced in mid-Aug. Find out here for more information.
  • The Australian phase of Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) will be hosted in Melbourne and Bendigo in October and November this year which means the program is looking for host families and host organisations in both locations! If you would like to be a host family or a host organisation for one of the lovely 18 Indonesian participants please apply here.
  • If you would like to become an Australian AIYEP participant applications are now open until 18 July! To apply you must be between 21-25 years of age, be a team player and want to learn more about Indonesia. Ayo daftar!
  • Applications for the AIC’s ReelOzInd! Short Film Festival are open! This year’s theme is ‘Youth’. Ayo, bikin film, yuk! Submission close 31 July.
  • Learning a language? Get Indonesian & English language help with UniBRIDGE Project.

Like what we do and want to join or support your local chapter to contribute to our exciting activities? Sign up as an AIYA member today!