The end of the year means another chance to recap the most fascinating highlights of the AIYA Blog in 2017.<\/p>\n
We started the year with a series of enlightening discussions with recipients of the Darmasiswa Scholarship<\/strong>, which saw our contributors describe the opportunity to live and study language, culture and the arts in Indonesia as \u2018a huge privilege<\/a>\u2019, \u2018an amazing, diverse experience<\/a>\u2019 and \u2018a truly global program<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n The AIYA Blog spoke to an exciting plethora of informative and inspirational individuals<\/strong>, from Rob Henry<\/a>, a man with an important message, to playwright Sandra Thibodeaux<\/a>, to language lover<\/a> Ochie Chandra DeMeulenaere. And who could forget the unique perspectives of distinguished journalist and columnist Desi Anwar<\/strong> in a two<\/a>–part<\/a> conversation.<\/p>\n Focussing on one element of a country is an easy way to dismiss its complexity. \u2013 Desi Anwar<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Our Career Champion<\/a><\/strong> series saw us interview those who have achieved success in the public domain\u00a0\u2013accomplished individuals who have pursued their passion across a lifetime\u00a0\u2013 including professional footballer Robbie Gaspar<\/a> and academic Jeffrey Neilson<\/a>. We were truly stumped after our chat with cricket enthusiast Bruce Christie<\/a>!<\/p>\n Exploration of cultures and societies<\/strong> has always been a strong focus of the Blog, and this year was no exception. Diyanti Koroh and Albert Christian Soewongsono explained the traditions of Easter<\/a> <\/strong>and Christmas<\/a> <\/strong>respectively in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, while Jane Ahlstrand took us through the diversity of Balinese music<\/a> and dance<\/a> (visit the JembARTan<\/a> blog for more!).<\/p>\n Insightful critical analysis<\/strong> come in the form of research from qualified academics on topics such as the dangers of plastic pollution, the science of collaboration and social equality (note that these were originally published on The Conversation<\/a>).<\/p>\n When a local Dayak leader started negotiations by laying his sword on the table between us, I decided it was time to leave. \u2013 Jeffrey Neilson<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n More recently, the AIYA Blog played host to interviews with award-winning filmmakers<\/strong> Rosie Clynes and Michael Abimanyu Kaeng in support of the ReelOzInd!<\/a> Australia Indonesia Short Film Competition and Festival, as well from some funny and friendly supporters of AIYA as part of our Member Spotlight<\/a> series.<\/p>\n With sassy film<\/a> reviews, exciting event recaps explorations of subversive pop<\/a> culture<\/a><\/strong> and news of the launch of a new AIYA Chapter<\/a> in Indonesia, the Blog has seen it all in 2017.<\/p>\n As per usual, this year\u2019s content was characterised by some rather enlightening discussions and wise revelations, although I am personally humbled by the rich and genuine character<\/strong> of the individuals, who are either profiled on or submit to the Blog, who endeavour for goodness and empathy on a daily basis. We saw only a small proportion of these individuals on the AIYA Blog in 2017, and the Australia-Indonesia youth relationship is all the better for it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The end of the year means another chance to recap the most fascinating highlights of the AIYA Blog in 2017. We started the year with a series of enlightening discussions […]<\/p>\n