Indonesian has been claimed to be a relatively easy language to learn for native speakers of English, partly because it also uses the Roman alphabet. Yet, there is a seemingly simple aspect of Indonesian that eludes learners: how to say ‘you’ to an addressee.
Read more

In the news

On the Blog

  • “Cutting Asian language courses at Australian universities hurting students’ job prospects, experts say,” captures the title of an April 2021 article by The Guardian. The article confronts us with the news that now fewer people are studying the Indonesian language in Australia than 50 years ago. In 2021, only three major national universities in Australia have offered courses in the lingua franca of their closest and largest neighbour, as universities cope with the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic. Read this week’s blog here.

Events

  • AIYA Indigenous Engagement Events! Kumpul, AIYA’s Indigenous Engagement Committee have worked to construct and host some events in celebration:
    • First Nations Book Club has its inaugural launch this year, it promotes the importance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the work we do in building the Australia-Indonesia relationship. Meet bi-monthly to read a diverse range of books by Indigenous Australian authors. Sign-up here.
  • JOIN AIYA ON DISCORD! AIYA would like to cordially invite you to join our new Discord, an online group-chatting platform. We will be using Discord a digital hub for AIYA activities including:
    • FLEX – our online language exchange is on Discord and open to anyone with any level of Indonesian and English 
    • Games nights – AIYA will be hosting casual and impromptu gatherings on Discord
    • Ngobrol santai – any AIYA member will be able to join and chat with other members whenever you want.
    • Our next online language exchange will be on the 5th September
  • JOIN AIYA IN-PERSON LANGUAGE EXCHANGE! LX is back in multiple locations across Australia. Connect, chill, and converse with like-minded youth, meet new friends and engage in cross-cultural exchange. In-person language exchange is on:
    • WA: Every second Wednesday, 6pm, Old Shanghai Northbridge. Follow @aiya_wa on Instagram or Facebook for more info. 
  • 7-9 September RDI UREF x SUAKA is inviting you to join the Forced Displacement & Urban Management Conference. The Conference focuses on the theme of Right of the City, Space and Place, and Beyond Resettlement. More details here.
  • 15 September Indonesia Update. In sickness and in health: diagnosing Indonesia. Join the conference which examines the extent to which Indonesia’s health system has succeeded in dealing with the many challenges it faces (ANU Project). Register here.
  • 16 September 2021 IndOz Conference ‘IA-CEPA: From Good Neighbours to Strategic Partner’ will provide an opportunity to learn from key players, benefit from IA-CEPA, practical ways to enter into the “next door” market, and to build a valuable network. The event will be held hybrid, both virtually and in Brisbane. More info here. Get a discounted rate as an AIYA member! To access this benefit, please email Dan at [email protected]. 
  • 29 September ‘Citizens of the World: Indonesian Studies in Australia’ is an international conference (webinar) hosted by Melbourne University that will bring together Language, Culture and Area Studies experts and the broader Indonesia and Southeast Asia-interested community. Together, they will engage in a critical dialogue about past, current and future directions in Indonesian studies. Register here.
  • 30 September IS4 Webinar | Is there Indonesian history before 1945? Unconnected histories, and the (near) absence of postcolonial concerns. Register here
  • AIMEP is fundraising to provide emergency relief to Indonesians impacted by COVID. Oxygen tanks, self-isolation support, and burial funds are desperately needed. Donate here.
  • Academics in Australia are supporting Indonesia’s COVID-19 response alongside PPNI JaTim and WeCare. Donate to provide support for nurses and their families fighting COVID-19 here.
  • Bali Beat was established in March 2020, The Bali Beat gathers together the biggest news and each day’s COVID-19 data on the Island of the Gods Subscribe. Follow Bali’s latest articles here. 

Opportunities

  • NAILA 2021 Speech Competition is receiving submissions. With the theme ‘Travel’ or ‘Bepergian’ with 7 categories open to anyone from primary school all the way to professionals. Make sure to submit your application by 31 August. More info here.
  • AIYA has openings for a Treasurer, Social Media Officers, Content Translators, Editors (Annual Report & Newsletter-Links), Communications Coordinators, and the 2022 Kongres Convenors. Join the dynamic National Team! Apply by 1st of September. Position descriptions here
  • ACICIS is receiving applications for Summer Professional Practica! Gain workplace skills and establish international networks in Indonesia in an area of your interest by undertaking a virtual internship from Jan-Feb 2022. $3,000 New Colombo Plan mobility grants available to support eligible Australian university students. Applications close 15 September. Find out more here. 
  • DFAT is looking for a Program Officer to support the Infrastructure & Economic Governance (IEG) section’s implementation of the PROSPERA and KIAT programs. Apply here by 30 August.
  • SIAP SIAGA is calling for papers for the Regional Symposium on COVD-19 and its impact on Disaster Management and Resilience. The themes are governance and institutional leadership, partnership models, and digital technology and communication. Abstract submissions should be made directly by 31 August. More info here.
  • The Indonesian Consulate General has opened applications for a Virtual Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship 2021 to learn. View the opportunity here or here. The form should be sent to [email protected] for Australian youths in NSW, QLD, & SA, or to [email protected] in Victoria & Tasmania. Applications close by 1 September.
  • Tsuha Global Fellowship Program calls for applicants. UWA is currently seeking interested individuals to apply for the fellowship, with the application period closing 1 September. Successful applicants will be guided by a cross-disciplinary array of mentors More info here.
  • SPARK Deakin Melbourne – Bandung Innovation Series is hosting a pitch competition. Pitch your solution on inclusive entrepreneurship, resilience innovations, creative approaches to tourism, or public health innovation. Submit your ideas by 1 September here and get the chance to win cash prizes!
  • Prospera is seeking a Senior Economist (Labour & Skills Team Lead) to lead the Labour and Skills team assisting the Government of Indonesia. They will provide sound evidence-based analysis in support of continued labour market reform and upskilling and reskilling of Indonesia’s workforce. Apply by 3 September here. 
  • AIYEP (Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program) 2021 is receiving applications from Australian youth aged between 21-25 years. Managed by DFAT and Value Learning, AIYEP combines online learning; a business internship, language skills, access to Australian-Indonesian experts and opportunities to build on your intercultural skills in this comprehensive 7-week program. Send your applications here by 20 September.
  • Australia Awards in Indonesia is celebrating the exemplary and diverse contributions of alumni, and are asking you to nominate candidates. View award criteria and make your nominations by 23 September here.
  • ACICIS Virtual Public Health Study Tour (PHST) is open for registration until 1 October. This two-week intensive program is a unique opportunity for Australian students to hear from leading health professionals, policy-makers and community health workers in Indonesia. Register here for the Summer cohort.
  • Asia Society – Melbourne Asia Game Changer. Nominate a Game Changer making a positive difference to Australia’s relationship with Asia. Nominate here. 
  • Do you have a great Indonesia-Australia business development idea that needs connecting and support? Submit your ideas to Katalis through its business portal here. Proposals can be submitted all year, and will be subject to approval from the governments of Indonesia and Australia. 
  • Lakoat Kujawas is calling for proposals for the art residency program 2021-2022! The community of Taiftob Village, Mollo, NTT is open for collaboration with interdisciplinary artists and food activists. More info here.
  • Jakarta Independent Film Festival (JIFF) welcomes submissions from independent filmmakers from around the world for the 2021 Edition. Check out the rules and regulations here.
  • Asia Options has two vacant positions; Marketing Specialist and Country Correspondent Roles to join the team. See here for more info.
  • Australian Volunteers is temporarily suspending overseas placements but are continuing to support partner organisations through remote volunteering. If you’re interested in volunteering in-country then check-out a range of opportunities here.
  • Inside Indonesia publishes original pieces on a wide range of political, social, environmental, and cultural issues in Indonesia. They accept articles from a diverse range of people who have an interest in Indonesia. To find out how to contribute, click here. 

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