Year: 2014

Citra Dyah Prastuti to join CAUSINDY 2014

Posted on by Samantha Yap

CAUSINDY is pleased to announce that Citra Dyah Prastuti, the Editor of KBR’s online platform PortalKBR.com, will be joining the conference panel on ‘Portrayals in the Media’.

citra profileCitra spent some time in Australia on a fellowship with ABC Radio National, where her reporting has included an insightful one-hour long radio documentary on ‘Timor’s Lost Generation’, broadcast in 2012.

‘Timor’s Lost Generation’ gave a unique perspective into the legacy behind East Timorese children who were taken from their families during of Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor. The moving program takes listeners on a journey with those belonging to the lost generation of East Timorese returning to find their families and reconnecting with their lost heritage.

Citra’s passion for journalism has led her to pursue stories on issues of tolerance and pluralism in Indonesia. Now, she leads KBR’s online news website PortalKBR.com. She believes it is important to boost the public’s understanding about cultural and religious differences in Indonesia.

“It’s a super important issue for Indonesia, but not many mainstream media [outlets] are [talking about] this issue too much,” she said.

CAUSINDY looks forward to hearing Citra Dyah Prastuti’s thoughts and perspectives on the media panel session held on the 14thof September. As the power of media in Australia and Indonesia has the potential to influence public perceptions, with Citra’s input the discussion at the CAUSINDY media panel session will surely be an insightful one.

Welcoming the Australian National University as a sponsor of CAUSINDY 2014

Posted on by Heath Jamieson

CAUSINDY is very pleased to announce The Australian National University (ANU) has joined CAUSINDY 2014 as a minor sponsor.

ANU is widely recognised as a leading place of research, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and policy engagement.

Given The Australian National University’s reputation as a center for excellence in Indonesian teaching and research we are excited to partner again for 2014. ANU will also assist in securing world-class speakers for our conference sessions.

We appreciated The Australian National University’s support for CAUSINDY 2013, which was held at the University’s campus in Canberra. This year with the conference taking place in Jakarta, we’ll miss its natural central Canberra campus for the hustle and excitement of Indonesia’s capital city.

We thank ANU again for their support of CAUSINDY 2014 and look forward to meeting ANU-based CAUSINDY delegates and staff in Jakarta for the conference.

Chris Barnes to speak at CAUSINDY 2014

Posted on by Karina Akib

CAUSINDY is excited to announce that Chris Barnes, Managing Director at ICON International, will join this year’s conference, moderating a panel discussion on economics and trade.

Screen Shot 2014-06-03 at 9.08.50 pmChris has a unique view on on this topic given his ongoing commitment to young leaders and his experience in key bilateral engagements across business and government including Indonesia Australia Leadership Dialogue, Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector and the Australia-Indonesia Business Council

Mr Barnes said: “I commend the founders of CAUSINDY for taking the initiative to promote relations between the emerging leaders of Indonesia and Australia. There is no doubt that the futures of both our countries are inextricably linked and greater understanding is the key to a successful partnership between us. I encourage all young professionals to get involved in CAUSINDY.”

About Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes is Managing Director of ICON Indonesia. Chris is a highly experienced practitioner in strategy, government relations (especially emerging markets), business development (financial services), public policy (trade and investment), media relations and public affairs.

Chris previously held senior roles with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, including General Manager, Business Development, International Financial Services, where he developed offshore growth opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region, and General Manager, Government & Industry Affairs with responsibility for all global and domestic government relations. He was also Senior Adviser (Political & Media) to the Australian Finance Minister.

Chris is a member of the Indonesia Australia Leadership Dialogue, the NSW Government’s Export & Investment Advisory Panel, the Indonesia-Australia Partnership on Food Security in the Red Meat and Cattle Sector and a member of the Business Partnership Group (BPG) advising the Australian and Indonesian Governments on the Indonesia Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). He is a former National President of the Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC) and a former Director of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Australia. He was recognised by the Indonesian Government as a Presidential Friend of Indonesia in 2009.

Q&A with Natrisha Barnett

Posted on by CAUSINDY

Natrisha Barnett is a recent graduate of the University of Western Australia and the founder and president of the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association’s Western Australia chapter. We spoke to Natrisha about her experience at CAUSINDY last year, and her advice for prospective delegates!

Tell us a little about your own background.

I am a recent graduate of the University of Western Australia (BA&BEc) and have a strong interest in the bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia. I am the founder and president of the Australia Indonesia Youth Association Western Australia and I really enjoy developing relationships within the community to advance our reach and impact.

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I was selected as a participant of the Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program and have undertaken internships with the Australian Embassy and Austrade Jakarta and with the Australia Indonesia Business Council in Western Australia, focusing on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Each of these experiences have enhanced my understanding of Indonesian language, culture and its people and have given me insight into the history of Australian engagement with Indonesia. I am eager to stay involved with Australia-Indonesia affairs and to make a positive difference to the relationship.

How did you first get involved in the Australia-Indonesia relationship? Where do you see it headed?

In my first year of high school, Indonesian was a compulsory subject – I really enjoyed learning not just the language, but about the culture. I had a great group of teachers who made the lessons fun, took us to Indonesian restaurants and taught us how to make makanan Indonesia. My experiences had always been very positive and continued in-country when I first visited in 2010. I’ve been back over 15 times in the last two years and I’m writing this from Jakarta.

I see the relationship headed in a positive direction as young people increase their engagement, making their voices and ideas heard.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently organising the Australia Indonesia Fashion Exhibition (AIFEX) 2014 with my AIYA WA committee in Perth, to showcase contemporary designs from our two countries best designers, artists and performers – keep an eye out for updates on our facebook page!

How did CAUSINDY change your perspective on the Australia-Indonesia relationship?

I don’t think it changed my perspective, I think it cemented it – the young people of our two countries see each other as seamless extensions of neighbours to friends and have a mutual understanding of the way things should be. Both sides are very keen to see positive change and are willing to make an impact on the relationship. With so much energy and enthusiasm from the next generation’s leaders, we are full of confidence and optimism that the relationship will strengthen in the near future.

What advice would you share with anyone thinking of applying this year?

Articulate your experiences and ability to work with others, to communicate and to engage in discussions. Set out your vision, your ideas and your passion to make a positive difference – don’t be afraid to be bold. It’s a fantastic opportunity to have your say in the Australia-Indonesia relationship and to meet a fantastic group of like-minded young professionals.

Q&A with Donny Eryastha

Posted on by CAUSINDY

3e8586aOriginally from Bengkulu, Sumatra, Donny currently works as a Private Sector Development Specialist with the World Bank in Jakarta. Prior to his current work at AusAid, he worked as an Advisor to the Minister at the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board. He has also worked at both ends of the financial industry, as investment banker and microfinance analyst.

We spoke to him about his experience in the Australia-Indonesia relationship, his career, and what it’s like to be a CAUSINDY delegate.

How did you first get involved in the Australia-Indonesia relationship? Where do you see it headed?

My first foray into the bilateral relationship was when I started working as a Senior Program Manager at AusAID in Jakarta. I managed the disbursement and implementation of Australian aid in Indonesia, focusing on providing technical assistance to the design and implementation of social protection programs.

The Australia-Indonesia relationship can only get tighter, with the increasing economic relationships between both countries and each country’s improved understanding of the strategic significance of the other country.

Where are you working at the moment?

I work as Private Sector Development Specialist at the World Bank in Jakarta, advising the Indonesian government on ways it can improve the country’s business climate and its investment facilitation processes.

On the side I lead Indonesia Mengglobal, a non-profit aimed at improving Indonesians’ access to quality global education.

How did CAUSINDY change your perspective on the Australia-Indonesia relationship?

CAUSINDY exposed me to a group of talented young Australians and Indonesians, each with genuine interests and areas of expertise in the other country. Interacting with them invigorated my optimism toward the future of the Australia-Indonesia relationship, as I could see first hand the growing and tightening bond between the two countries at the people-to-people level.

What advice would you share with anyone thinking of applying this year?

Don’t think twice, just apply! :0) I had a very fun and enriching experience last year and you should try to join this year! Make sure to highlight your exposure to Australia-Indonesia relationships when preparing your application.

CAUSINDY Update: Our first confirmed speaker

Posted on by CAUSINDY

This week, the conference team are excited to announce Prof. Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar as our first confirmed speaker for CAUSINDY 2014. Professor Anwar was a key supporter of CAUSINDY in its first year, and we’re thrilled to be working with her in September this year.

Apply to become a delegate today, and you could be asking her questions this time in September!

New this week

Apply for CAUSINDY 2014

With applications now open, it’s time to update your resume andprepare your application for this year’s conference. Check out ourfrequently asked questions for more on the application process, selection criteria, and deadlines.

Apply now →

Dewi Fortuna Anwar to speak at CAUSINDY 2014

Posted on by CAUSINDY

dewifortunaanwarThis week, the conference team are excited to announce the confirmation of Prof. Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, M.A., as a speaker at the 2014 Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth in Jakarta this September.

Professor Anwar is currently Deputy Secretary for Political Affairs to the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. She is also a Research Professor and held the position of the Deputy Chairman for Social Sciences and Humanities at The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) from 2001-2010.

She is also the Chair of the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights at The Habibie Center, and a member of the Board of Advisors, The Institute for Peace and Democracy, The Bali Democracy Forum. Dewi Anwar briefly held the position of Assistant to the Vice President for Global Affairs (May-July 1998) and that of Assistant Minister/State Secretary for Foreign Affairs (August 1998-November 1999), during the Habibie administration.

Prof. Anwar was a member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (2008-2012), a member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC), based in Stockholm, and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, ANU, Australia. She obtained her PhD from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, while her BA (Hons) and MA were obtained from SOAS, University of London.

Professor Anwar was a key supporter of the first Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth, and we look forward to her joining us in Jakarta this September.

CAUSINDY Update: Embracing fear and risk

Posted on by CAUSINDY

With applications open for CAUSINDY 2014, we’re already impressed with the number — and quality — of applications we’ve received! Be sure to submit yours before July 1.

This newsletter includes some of our favourite reading from the week, including from 2013 delegate Ross Tapsell.

Selamat membaca!

New this week

Apply for CAUSINDY 2014

With applications now open, it’s time to update your resume andprepare your application for this year’s conference. Check out ourfrequently asked questions for more on the application process, selection criteria, and deadlines.

Apply now →

Video: Embracing discomfort and risk

Posted on by CAUSINDY

“It was January, 1998, and we were so fixed on the quest for culture and local knowledge that we kind of forgot about politics…”

This week’s video from the first Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth offers a personal take on cultural exchange in the bilateral relationship.

Dr Jacqui Baker argues that “no amount of competence can triumph the simple human awkwardness of relationships” — instead, we should embrace discomfort and risk and reach for common interests and curiosities.

Jacqui Baker is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific. She is currently writing a book on police reform and embarking on a new project on criminal monies in Southeast Asia.

Listen to her documentary Eat Pray Mourn on the Radio National website, or read her observations on producing the program.

This video originally appeared on the AIYA Blog.