AIYA Links: 29 June

In the news

• More than half of Indonesia’s population, with 152,066,685 registered voters will choose the new executive heads for 17 provinces, 115 regencies and 39 cities in the 2018 regional elections. Since 2004, the law on regional elections has allowed Indonesians to directly elect their own regional leaders.
• Indonesia is disputing a report by The New York Times that said it is imposing a language requirement for all expatriate workers in the country.
• The World Bank recently approved a loan of US$150 million to support Indonesia’s healthcare programs and services, set to focus on East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua in Eastern Indonesia. However, it remains to be seen whether candidates in the upcoming regional elections have prioritised health in their programs.
• The South Sulawesi Police have dispatched more than 17,000 officers to secure elections in 12 regions across the province on Wednesday.
• Globalisation has been second nature to Indonesia for centuries. Yet with a general election on the docket for 2019, the extent to which the Widodo government embraces globalisation remains a key question for observers.
• Indonesia’s air quality lags behind World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards and Ciliwung, Jakarta’s biggest river is famous as one of the most polluted rivers globally. Yet problematically, the imperative to prioritise environmental health, especially in the capital, constantly proves to be an uphill battle.

On the blog

• This week, we go back in the AIYA blog archives, revisiting Albert Christian Soewongsono’s experience of receiving the prestigious Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship which allowed him to complete postgraduate study in Australia. He shares his tips and tricks on how to nail the LPDP, and other important, scholarship applications (article in Indonesian).

Events

• 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.
• Jakarta, 4 July – Come along and meet the new AIYA Jakarta committee at “Cepat Kaya 6.0”! It will be held at Lola – Espiritu y Libacion in South Jakarta from 7pm until end. Register here!
• Jakarta, 7 July – “Joining global production networks: has Indonesia missed the boat?” will be the topic of the 2018 Hadi Soesastro Lecture by ANU Professor Prema-chandra Athukorala in Jakarta, Monday, 9 July at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Please register as space is limited!
• Adelaide, 21 July – Gather your friends and come along to the Australia-Indonesia Association (AIA) of South Australia’s Gala Dinner and Wayang on Saturday 21 July at the Art Gallery to experience the tastes and sounds of the Spice Islands. Get your tickets here!

Opportunities

• Join AIYA National! Enjoy our In The Blog section so far? We are now looking for Blog Editors to join the team! Read more about the role here and apply before 15 July.
• Join AIYA ACT! The Chapter is looking for an events officer and general committee members, please contact [email protected] to express your interest.
• Join AIYA East Indonesia! The Chapter in Makassar is looking for new committee members for the AGM which will be announced shortly. Go to https://tinyurl.com/yc5axgau to apply.
• 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!
• Join talented students around the globe in the 2018 Universitas Hasanuddin International Cultural Program 2018 to be held 13-19 August 2018 in Makassar, Indonesia! Further information is available here. Registration closes 15 July 2018, so don’t hesitate to apply!
• 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!