Update on Joko Widodo’s State Visit to Australia
The Australia-Indonesia Youth Association was honoured to be a small part of President Jokowi’s state visit to Australia over the weekend, please see our update regarding his visit below!
The Australia-Indonesia Youth Association was honoured to be a small part of President Jokowi’s state visit to Australia over the weekend, please see our update regarding his visit below!
Welcome to the 2019 edition of the AIYA Annual! We hope this summary of the year’s events provides some insight for readers into AIYA, whether you’re a first-time observer of our organisation or a long-term member. 2019 has been another exciting year for us with increased event offerings, stronger partnerships and new committee members. We have a team of 150 geographically dispersed volunteers who work together to host dynamic and relevant events and initiatives for our diverse membership.
With the Australia-Indonesia relationship continually changing and interest in the relationship wide-ranging, our Chapters have aimed to deliver many different types of events to suit. Language exchanges, sporting days, trivia nights, networking events, academic seminars…you name it, the talented and semangat committee members of our Chapters have endeavoured to showcase the best of the bilateral relationship while also tackling heavy-hitting cultural, political and social topics.
Throughout the year, AIYA, across the two countries has hosted over 300 events and I can only thank the committees for the countless hours they have put into making each and every one of them happen. Each committee has creatively adapted to challenges faced in their respective states, territories and provinces, and learnt so much along the way.
Download the AIYA Annual 2019 here
Welcome back to Member Spotlight where we introduce you to the personalities behind AIYA. This week, we introduce you to AIYA’s Communications Officer #1 Jakarta Chapter, Alya Jihan!
What is your occupation/What do you study?
Private Employee / Law Degree (second year)
Fun fact you would like to share with us?
I love Javanese culture so much, proud to be a Javanese. I love writing in Javanese alphabet and speak Javanese at times possible
What made you so interested in Australia/Indonesia?
Australia is nearest continent to our country, and they are rich of culture and diversity. They also have koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devil etc as their identity which made the main attraction point to us (since Indonesia originally don’t have them). The bilateral relations that has been happened between both countries brought us so many opportunities mainly for Indonesians, because we can get so much benefit from Australia as they are such a developed country
What is your most memorable culture shock experience?
Vegemite. It tastes weird at first but now i cant get over it!
What is your favourite place to visit in Indonesia/Australia?
I love Solo. My parents lived there and the city is so rich of culture. No wonder my Javanese is really thick in me cause my big family affects me so much on the daily. For Australia, its Melbourne. It is so diverse over there and I love the bipolar weather. Also planning to get into Deakin someday inshaAllah
Favourite meal in Indonesia/Australia?
Nasi goreng
How about your favourite word in Indonesian/English?
Favourite Indonesian word for me is mantul (mantap betul). English : brekkie hahah it still got me giggle when i say brekkie, weird but simple
Do you have a favourite Indonesian/Australian film?
Laskar Pelangi
Any hopes for the bilateral relationship?
More opportunities shall be open for youth and job seeker and cultural exchange
In your opinion, how is Youth like yourself take part in shaping Australia-Indonesia relationship?
Youth is the future. Our generation nowadays has better opportunity in shaping the future and by taking part in AIYA, we can contribute our better ideas with the events. So many times I got involved in conversation which talking about the challenge we face and so many turnouts has happened!
What was getting involved with AIYA like?
It is fun, and always come up with better innovation each day!
What do you like most about AIYA?
The people at AIYA that always warm and caring to each other also always share ideas!
Sum up your experience as an AIYA member in three words!
Fresh, fun and mantul!
How can we learn more and connect with you?
You can connect me via linkedin.com/in/alyajihann
Terima Kasih Alya for sharing with us your passions and insights into your personal experience. Stay tuned for AIYA Blog Updates for the upcoming personas under Member Spotlight!
When we talk about refugees, more often than not we don’t shade the lights to developing countries. Being excluded from the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees doesn’t mean these countries can turn their back on the refugees. In many cases, these countries had to welcome the refugees who got turned down from their destination countries.
With consents limited to only assisting refugees to their host countries, often these transit countries aren’t equipped with legal instruments and regulations. This absence has left the refugees distraught, with little help to be socially integrated and the bare minimum in meeting their basic needs.
More than 14,000 refugees are currently staying in Indonesia scattered from Aceh, Medan, Jakarta, Makassar to the East of Indonesia. To learn more about this issue, we spoke to Febrianti Hasanah, a community facilitator volunteer of UN Migration in Makassar. Also a Research Assistant, Febrianti is working on Constructing a Shared Identity; Engaging Youth in Creative Placemaking for Social Integration of Urban Refugees in Indonesia.
Read our full interview with Febrianti to find out about the issues and the people who fight tirelessly alongside it!
Tiongkok Kecil Heritage Lasem – Jl. Karangturi / Author
Original post by : Inside Indonesia – Written by Vania Djunaidi
Three hours bus ride from Semarang in Central Java is Lasem, a small city with a rich history as one of the first coastal settlements of Chinese, who came seeking trading and business opportunities in the archipelago beginning in the 13th century. Many visitors come to Lasem for its famous ‘Batik Tulis’, a style combining Javanese and Chinese motifs and colours, revealing a merging of cultural influences.
The city is known as ‘Little Tiongkok’ (‘Little China’) with many preserved Chinese and Javanese influenced homes and temples dating back to 15th century, in the villages of Karangturi and Babangan. The commitment to heritage preservation of its hybrid Chinese and Javanese architectural treasures reveals the high level of cultural tolerance and mutual respect amongst the people of Lasem. This is a rare example in Indonesia, which has a history of resentment and violence towards the Chinese perpetuated under the New Order regime era from 1965-1998.
When I visited the famous and highly instagrammable ‘pink temple’ Cu An Kiong Temple at Jl. Dasun, I was greeted by a monumental statue capturing the battle between the VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (United East Indies Company)) and Javanese and Chinese troops in 1740-1743. Beneath the monument is a plaque summarising the battle, describing the death toll as one of the highest within East and Central Java, and commemorating its contribution to the independence of Indonesia as a nation. This historic event stands as a symbol of the tolerance, harmony and mutual respect among the people of Lasem.
Monumen Perjuangan Laskar Tiong Hoa dan Jawa Melawan VOC 1740-1743 at Cu An Kion Temple Part of Cu An Kiong Temple
Part of Cu An Kiong Temple
‘It does not matter if you are Chinese, Muslim, Chinese-Christian, Chinese-Muslim, we are all the same’, said the woman who was minding the Gie Yong Temple at Jl. Babangan. Although the temple was empty when I arrived, it is her responsibility to open and take care of the temple every morning as many of her brothers and sisters have moved away to other cities inside and outside Java seeking better job opportunities. When asked if the temple gets busy during Chinese New Year, she shook her head and responded that it is ‘biasa-biasa saja, kayak sekarang’ (just the ordinary, like now).
Her story reveals Chinese Peranakan traditions are fading and becoming forgotten within a city that is strongly tied to a history of Chinese migration to Indonesia, but also to today’s reality of rural migration to the cities. It seems that its architectural fabric is all that remains of the historical evidence that has shaped this city. Many of the Chinese-influenced architectural homes have been turned into accommodation for tourists, like Rumah Oei (pictured above), where I stayed during my visit. The hope is that the industry can attract foreigners and boost Lasem’s potential as a tourist destination. However, since the train service to Lasem was closed in the 1990s, poor transport options and little promotion of the city means that it remains quiet and still far from experiencing the sort of tourist numbers visiting other parts of Java.
Po An Bio Temple, Jl. Karangturi, Lasem
Inside Po An Bio Temple, Jl. Karangturi, Lasem
Lasem’s architectural fabric encapsulates the diversity of Indonesia within its past and future, and may be among some of the last fragments of Chinese settlement in Indonesia. Its preservation should be of high importance for whilst it represents Indonesia’s enriched multicultural history it also acts as evidence that cultural tolerance and recognition of diversity can be achieved within modern Indonesia.
Vania Djunaidi ([email protected]) studies architecture at University of Technology, Sydney. She is interested in Indonesia’s built environment and its social and cultural impacts. All images: Vanie Djunaidi.
Anak Timor Hitz merupakan salah satu komunitas asal pulau Timor, Nusa Tenggara Timur di Jakarta. Berdasarkan pantauan tim AIYA’s Blog melalui instagram, komunitas ini aktif membagikan informasi terkait budaya Timor dan juga menjadi wadah penyalur bakat dan minat anak-anak Timor.
Menuju akhir akhir tahun 2019, komunitas Anak Timor Hitz di Jakarta menyelenggarakan sebuah kegiatan dengan tajuk Timorland Fest 2019 dalam rangka menyambut hari ulang tahun Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur ke 61 pada 20 Desember 2019 mendatang.
Berlokasi di Anjungan Nusa Tenggara Timur – Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, kegiatan yang mengusung tema besar kebudayaan khas Timor ini dibuka dengan penampilan spesial dari anak-anak berbakat asal Timor yang membawakan tarian dan nyanyian. Berto Pah, seorang maestro sasando – alat musik NTT juga hadir memeriahkan acara ini.
Jhon Atti sedang menjelaskan ragam kain tenun yang digunakan oleh model
Kegiatan Timor Land Fest 2019 turut mengundang Jhon Atti seorang budayawan sekaligus fotografer asal Timor yang menaruh minat besar dalam melestarikan kain tenun NTT, khususnya Timor melalui foto. Beberapa karya beliau berupa juga dihadirkan dalam acara ini dalam bentuk pameran foto dan lukisan.
“Saya ingin melesatarikan kebudayaan lewat kain tenun dan menyampaikannya lewat lensa kamera berupa foto” ucap Jhon Atti.
Foto dan lukisan karya Jhon Atti yang dipamerkan dalam kegiatan Timor Land Fest 2019
Selain itu, ada juga Natalia Iggritha Deppa seorang mahasiswi asal Sumba yang juga menaruh perhatian besar terhadap tenun NTT. Selama ini, gadis yang akrab disapa Inggrit ini selalu menggunakan tenunan setiap harinya sebagai bentuk kampanye penggunaan kain tenun dan menjadikan tenun itu sebagai identitasnya.
“Kalau saya pribadi, mengusahakan setiap hari untuk minimal menggunakan kain tenun, karena saya berasal dari Sumba jadi kebanyakan saya menggunakan tenun Sumba” ungkap Inggrith.
Inggrith sedang memperagakan penggunaan kain tenun. Photo from @deppanatalia
Workshop mengenai kain tenun ini ditutup dengan peragaan penggunaan kain tenun sebagai busana tanpa perlu menggunakan jahitan yang diperagakan oleh Inggrith. Para pengunjung juga diberikan kebebasan untuk mencoba beberapa kain tenun yang disediakan panitia untuk digunakan sebagai properti foto.
Selama acara berlangsung, peserta kegiatan ini juga dapat menikmati kuliner khas Timor yaitu Jagung Ketemak – yang merupakan olahan pangan lokal dari Timor dengan bahan dasar jagung yang direbus bersama kacang, daun pepaya dan sayur lainnya serta disajikan bersama ikan teri atau ikan asin dan sambal lu’at khas Timor. Ada pula makanan khas yang disajikan oleh panitia untuk membangkitkan atmosfir Timor yaitu ubi dan pisang rebus. Nikmat!
Jagung Ketemak khas Pulau Timor, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Timor Land Fest 2019 tidak hanya menampilkan kebudayaan khas dari Timor namun juga menghadirkan pengisi acara, tarian, nyanyian, kebudayaan dari berbagai pulau yang ada di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur. Hal ini dilihat dari beberapa bintang tamu yang hadir menggunakan berbagai jenis kain tenun khas Nusa Tenggara Timur lengkap dengan aksesorisnya.
Acara ini ditutup dengan dansa bersama seluruh peserta yang hadir dan penampilan DJ asal Nusa Tenggara Timur. Timor Land Fest 2019 dapat menjadi sebuah awal yang baik dalam rangka penyebaran informasi terkait kebudayaan yang ada di Nusa Tenggara Timur, khususnya pulau Timor. Kegiatan ini juga dapat menjadi sebuah wadah untuk mempertemukan anak-anak Timor yang ada di tanah perantauan – Jakarta.
Congratulations, Anak Timor Hitz!
Indonesian version, click here
For many, the first thing that crosses the mind upon hearing the name Makassar is the city’s famed culinary specialty, Coto Makassar. It is less likely that the name evokes thoughts of historical links to Aboriginal Australia, contemporary refugee and migration issues, art, and literature and yet, like Coto Makassar, these things too have their own place in the cultural, social and historical fabric of the city and the South Sulawesi region.
Febrianty Hasanah is one person of Makassan heritage possessed of both the initiative and good fortune to have experienced all of these aspects of her city and culture, through her involvement with Makassar International Writers’ Festival, Rumata Artspace and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The remarkable historical relationship between Makassans and Yolngu people in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia has attracted an increasing degree of discussion, study and celebration in recent times. Hundreds of years ago, Makassan traders sailed to Arnhem Land in search of trepang, beginning a relationship with Yolngu people not only based upon trade, but also other forms of exchange. A recent artists’ exchange between artists from Yirrkala (Arnhem Land) and Rumata Artspace (Makassar) celebrated these links, and provided Febri with the unique opportunity to travel to Arnhem Land as part of her role in administering the project. This trip, which she described as like going to meet a long-lost relative, gave her the opportunity to further explore the significant influence of this relationship on each of the parties involved.
Photo by : Rumata’ Artspace – Febrianty and her friend
“They shared culture and language; to the point there are around 1,000 words found in both languages. For example, ‘kaluru’ means smoking in both languages, and ‘bala’ means house,” revealed Febri.
“Beyond that, in the Yolngu welcoming ceremony there were a number of rituals similar to those performed by Makassans.”
Febri also learnt that Yolgnu people believe their land was protected by Bayini, the spirit of a Makassar woman who would accompany the Makassan sailors on their journeys. The works produced through the exchange were later exhibited at Rumata Artspace in Makassar in conjunction with Makassar International Writers’ Festival (MIWF), with which Febri has been involved for a number of years as a volunteer and committee member. These experiences have instilled in Febri a belief that literary and artistic collaboration can make a meaningful contribution to mutual understanding between Australia and Indonesia.
“Art is the most flexible medium when we talk about relationship, and it can package these discourses in a way which has the ability to move the various parties who engage with it,” Febri explained.
“There’s still so much to be explored in the relationship between Australia and Indonesia through their shared history. With the availability of residency opportunities, both artists and writers can obtain new perspectives about the links between the two countries.”
Yolngu people have been doing this for hundreds of years, maintaining a collective memory of their shared history with Makassans through song, painting and dance traditions passed down over generations.
Although she has finished up with Rumata Artspace and MIWF for now, Febri remains engaged in community work through volunteering and research. Febri’s community consists not only of fellow Indonesians but also asylum seekers, a large number of whom are from Afghanistan and have lived in Makassar for more than three years. However, beyond the government bodies, NGO staff and direct neighbours with whom they interact, the refugees are largely hidden to the eyes of the city and its residents. Among the many challenges these individuals face, they are unable to gain employment due to their limited legal status.
Photo by : Ali Golestanjoo – Febrianty and her friends at Creative Placemaking Project
“In many of these issues I try to understand their position, but I also cannot do anything to help,” said Febri.
“I’m interested in how they face these issues develop resilience over and for an indeterminate period of time, especially given how interacting with a new culture is not an easy thing to do.”
In order to observe, participate in and improve this interaction, Febri recently helped conduct research and a related media project entitled Creative Placemaking undertaken by the Urban
Refugees team from the Resilience Development Initiative and funded by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The project focused on the relationship between refugee youths and their local counterparts and, although its results are yet to be formally released, Febri suggested that providing a space and forum for these parties to come together fostered better relations and engagement.
For Febri, volunteering with IOM and participating in such research is also important in that it helps her form her own opinions on refugee issues.
“I want to be more objective regarding their presence and character as people, rather than merely as refugees. I believe treating people not based on labels provides us with a different view of them and their traits, free of whether they are free of statelessness or not.”
Translated by Iven Manning
NTT Muda merupakan salah satu komunitas yang dibentuk oleh anak-anak Nusa Tenggara Timur sebagai wadah belajar, diskusi, bertukar informasi mengenai beasiswa dan pada umumnya bergerak dalam bidang pendidikan. Ada begitu banyak rangkaian kegiatan berbasis pendidikan yang sudah dilasanakan oleh komunitas ini yaitu kunjungan ke daerah-daerah di NTT, pembekalan beasiswa keluar negeri serta kegiatan workshop dan seminar.
Kali ini NTT Muda kembali menyelenggarakan event keempat dengan tema “Be An Outstanding Job Candidate Cv & Interview Workshop”. Acara ini diselenggarakan di Volunteer Hub, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan pada 23 November 2019.
Workshop ini menghadirkan dua pembicara ahli dalam bidang industri yaitu Christopher Tobing (Program Director & Lead Facilitator – Big Change Agency) dan Ade Mayasari Nasution (Recruitment Asisten Manager). Selain materi berupa interview kerja serta segala persiapannya, para pembicara juga memberikan beberaa motivasi dan juga tips & trick yang dapat digunakan untuk menjadikan diri lebih tenang ketika akan menjalani proses interview kerja.
State. Story. Strategy. Merupakan tiga hal menurut Christopher yang harus diperhatikan oleh para pelamar kerja ketika akan diwawancara. Ketiga hal ini meliputi kondisi fisik yang ditampilkan ketika melaksanakan wawancara, menjadi nyaman dengan diri sendiri dan memiliki tujuan hidup yang jelas, pengalaman yang diberikan juga mendukung pernyataan yang ada sampai dengan bagaimana harus menjelaskan kemampuan dalam bekerja walaupun belum memiliki pengalaman kerja yang lama.
Sementara itu, menurut Ade, curicullum vitae yang digunakan sebagai salah satu perangkat untuk melamar kerja harus disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan posisi yang akan dilamar. Setiap pelamar pekerjaan sebaiknya membuat lebih dari satu CV yang informasi umumnya sama namun pengalaman kerja yang ditulis harus berhubungan dengan apa yang diminati. Selain itu, melamarlah sesuai dengan latar belakang pengalaman dan minat sehingga terjadi kecocokan yang baik antara CV, pelamar kerja dan lowongan yang tersedia. Ada pula mengenai tata cara (krama) ketika sedang berlangsung proses wawancara, mulai dari masuk ruangan, duduk di kursi sampai dengan cara menjawab pertanyaan yang tidak diduga.
Melakukan riset kecil-kecilan terhadap perusahaan yang dilamar atau memanggil kamu untuk wawancara juga merupakan hal yang ditekankan oleh kedua pembicara. Hal ini dapat menunjukkan seorang pencari kerja paham betul akan seluk beluk perusahaan, paham akan posisi yang dilamar dan punya rasa ingin tahu yang besar dan punya persiapan yang matang. Pada kesempatan ini, Ade juga menjelaskan secara garis besar proses penyaringan yang dilakukan oleh tim recruitment ketika akan memilih kandidat mana yang akan di wawancarai.
NTT Muda tentu saja punya harapan yang besar menyelanggarakan hal ini, salah satunya adalah para pencari kerja khususnya yang berasal dari NTT memiliki pengetahuan dan persiapan yang lebih ketika akan melaksanakan wawancara sebagai tahap awal untuk masuk ke dunia kerja. Selamat berjuang, semoga sukses!
“The best project you’ll ever work in is you” – Christopher Tobing
Started as a plastic conscious movement back in 2012, PlastikDetox Bali (PDB) has helped communities and businesses in “detoxing” Bali from its plastic addictions. The idea translated into its name using two languages widely used in Bali other than Basa Bali; ‘plastik’ from Bahasa Indonesia and ‘detox’ from English. It is an invitation and representation written with no space between the words to symbolize the continuous effort to detox ourselves from our addiction to excessive plastic usage.
Although it was started off with initiatives as simple as inviting people to bring their own bags and businesses to provide reusable bags, there was a heavy resistance and the idea of cutting plastic bags seems impossible for most people. This has created the idea of plastic addiction that requires a detox process. Within its roots, PDB states to be a non-anti-plastic movement but rather a movement to remind us that we don’t always need plastics. PlastikDetox’s vision is to find solutions for the plastic problem caused by excessive use through a combination of business incentives and behaviour change campaign.
“We invite small business for a free membership and support them to prevent plastic waste from single-use plastics. PDB encourages them not to use plastic excessively and discover affordable, locally produced and eco-friendlier alternatives. As incentives, we provide free training for the staff twice a year and opportunities for publication.” Says them in regards to their campaigns.
Read our full interview with PDB below to learn about the issues.
Welcome back to Member Spotlight where we introduce you to the personalities behind AIYA. This week, we introduce you to President of AIYA NSW, Maxine Williams.
What is your occupation/What do you study?
Honours student in Geography at the University of Sydney
Fun fact you would like to share with us?
I love hiking and climbing mountains!
What made you so interested in Australia/Indonesia?
I was invited to participate in a geography immersion program at Universitas Indonesia in 2017. I spent 6 months as a student in Depok, learning Bahasa, making Indonesian friends and having the best time.
What is your most memorable culture shock experience?
I remember my Indonesian host mother during AIYEP hysterically crying the day before my time in the village came to an end. She was crying so loud that several neighbours turned up at the house to inspect what was going on! It was a truly heartwarming experience.
What is your favourite place to visit in Indonesia/Australia?
I love visiting Yogyakarta. I think it is such a vibrant and interesting city.
Favourite meal in Indonesia/Australia?
Nasi Pecel.
How about your favourite word in Indonesian/English?
I love the word ‘kupu kupu’. It sounds so cute!
Do you have a favourite Indonesian/Australian film?
I recently saw the film ‘Memories of My Body’ (Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku), which I thought was fantastic. It is a very powerful and eye-opening film.
Any hopes for the bilateral relationship?
I would love there to be more Australian high school students learning Bahasa. This is something that I would like to encourage during my term as President.
In your opinion, how is Youth like yourself take part in shaping Australia-Indonesia relationship?
By going on university exchanges to Indonesia, myself and other Australian youth are gaining valuable cultural experience which we can use in our engagements with Indonesian society and government.
What was getting involved with AIYA like?
It’s been a very fun and rewarding 2 years. I have made so many new friends and gained tonnes of professional experience.
What do you like most about AIYA?
I love the sense of community among AIYA members.
Sum up your experience as an AIYA member in three words!
Fun. Wholesome. Inspiring.
How can we learn more and connect with you?
My Instagram is @maxine_ivy. I love to share photos of my travels in Indonesia!
Terima Kasih Maxine for sharing with us your passions and insights into your personal experience. Stay tuned for AIYA Blog Updates for the upcoming personas under Member Spotlight!