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The Indonesian Student's Association
of Australia (PPIA) sees that for the coming years Indonesia
will be facing critical problems in the democratic transition
era. On a domestic level, the country is struggling to cope
with institutional restructuring and adjusting to the effects
of these changes. At the same time the country is also faced
with changing international political constellations, which
puts Indonesian's foreign interest under great pressure, and
this has great impacts on Indonesia's internal and external
political relationships .
PPIA is organizing a conference
which will be set up as a biennial activity. Entitled "Indonesia
Next' - it aims to promote discussion, and seek solutions
from a range of different perspectives in Australia. The conference
will also be arranged as a forum for Indonesian students in
Australia to discuss their various ideas concerning the future
of Indonesia and its international relations.
There are three economic
and political issues on the agenda for the " Indonesia
Next" conference.
Firstly, The map of Indonesian
politics in the transition era particularly facing the upcoming
2004 general election is a complex one. What are the fresh
ideas on the parties' agenda's and what political compromises
will be needed for there to be agreement on issues of debate.
To what extent do interest groups outside the formal structure
join in and what role do they play in setting up national
political goals? Furthermore, the fourth Amendment of the
Constitution which is followed by the three new political
laws have constructed new platforms for the Indonesian political
system to work from. Are we ready for all the transformations?
One of the most crucial issues is also the question of a directly
elected president and a new presidential election system.
Is this new possibility foreseeable in the near future or
is it a pipe-dream? How would this new system foster a more
democratic government? Lastly, it is also pertinent to discuss
the criteria and character of the next Indonesian President
and the candidates.
Secondly, As far as the
issues and actors are concerned, there are some significant
changes in the international and regional settings. Considering
that International pressure can be a determining factor that
causes political transformation in one country, it is important
to discuss how the changing international political constellation
will influence Indonesia's internal politics. Are there any
terrorism issues related to Western interests in directing
Indonesian policy? To what extent does this issue influence
a struggle for power in Indonesian politics, such as a candidature
for national leadership? Are there any significant changes
in Indonesia's foreign policy and International relations?
Finally, Another important
issue is the problem of the economy in the transition period.
What is the relation between economics and political institution-building
in determining the role of the decision makers in making economic
policies? Thus, to what extent does the national political
transformation influence the post-crisis economic recovery
agenda. Are there any challenges and promising prospects in
decentralizing government and development which was applied
in 1999? The last question is how do foreign business agents
perceive the economic and political process and decentralization
in Indonesia?
Objectives
The "Indonesia Next"
conference aims to a provide a forum for a wide range of different
ideas, opinions and thinking from Indonesian students studying
in Australia, to provide a blue-print of the problems and
possible solutions in the period of transition -
Indonesia Next conference
is one of the PPIA central board programs 2002-2004 with the
support of Asian Studies Department, Flinders University and
PPIA Flinders University branch.
The "Indonesia Next"
conference is a forum initiated by PPIA central board and
will become an annual program for discussion of Indonesian
politics, particularly those of importance to the Indonesian
students in Australia.
We sincerely hope that this
event will proceed successfully and meet all its stated objectives
with the support of all concerned parties.
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