About
The Faculty of Arts at The University of Melbourne in partnership with the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), will host the fourth conference in the Australia-Indonesia in Conversation (AIC) series consisting of two round table panel discussions on 'New Governments in Indonesia and Australia: Domestic Challenges, Global Regime Changes & Geopolitical Tensions'. This event will be held in hybrid mode, on 25 July 2024, at Yasuko Hiraoka Room, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
About
Australia and Indonesia are close neighbours in the Indo Pacific region and have enjoyed robust bilateral relationships. They have common interests in the political, economic, and social arenas. Both countries are diverse in their socio-cultural makeup, available economic resources, and local politics. This diversity shapes their policies and efforts to address the needs of diverse communities locally, nationally, and even globally. Since 2022, Australia has been under the Albanese government, while Indonesia is preparing for a new government under Prabowo Subianto in 2024. Apart from shaping and dealing with domestic changes, both governments face three crucial international challenges. The first is the rising challenges to democracy. Australia and Indonesia are expected to prepare for the possibility of regime changes brought by the remarkable number and scale of elections globally in 2024. The second is the increasing geopolitical tension in the Indo Pacific region. The region has become more politically volatile along with AUKUS’s alleged plan for expansion to include Japan and China's increasingly assertive tactics in the South China Sea. Third, the need for enhancing bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia amid the burgeoning of nationalist discourses and policies. While these are complex challenges, various social and political solutions have been emerging in response to them.
The University of Melbourne, in partnership with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), will host a full-day conference on Thursday 25 July 2024, as part of the Australia-Indonesia in Conversation series. The theme of the conference is 'New Governments in Indonesia and Australia: Domestic Challenges, Global Regime Changes & Geopolitical Tensions'. It aims to provide a unique platform for Indonesian and Australian academics, policymakers, and community members to engage in two panel discussions: 1. New Governments: Domestic Challenges & Bilateral Relations, and 2. Indonesian and Australian Responses to Global Challenges: Regime Changes & Geopolitical Tensions. The conference is designed to analyse and foster bilateral partnerships and share knowledge, experiences, and insights through interactive roundtable discussions involving diplomats, academics, and policymakers. The conference will delve into each country's efforts to respond to recent developments domestically and globally. This is an exceptional opportunity to network and collaborate with academics and professionals.
Panel discussions
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In this panel, academics from Australia and Indonesia will share their expertise and insights into the challenges faced by the two countries. Since 2022, the new government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the Labour Party has brought different approaches to dealing with domestic issues in Australia. In 2024, Indonesia elected Prabowo Subianto as its new President. This panel will discuss the benefits and constraints of institutional and policy responses to domestic challenges. IT will also discuss the impact of the new governments on the socio-political and economic relations between the two countries.
Panel Chairs
- Associate Professor Rachael Diprose (The University of Melbourne)
- Dr Desintha Dwi Asriani (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Speakers
- Dr Bahruddin, Lecturer, Department of Social Development and Welfare, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
- Dr Fina Itriyati, Vice Dean of Collaboration, Alumni and Research Affairs and Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
- Professor Sally Young, Associate Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Arts and Professor of Australian Politics and Media in the School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS), The University of Melbourne
- Dr Angie Bexley (online), Senior Research Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, School of Culture, History & Language Advancing, The Australian National University (ANU)
- Professor Mark Considine, Professor of Political Science, The University of Melbourne
- H.E. Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia.
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This panel will discuss how Australia and Indonesia respond to global challenges, as more than 60 countries hold elections, and an estimated 50% of the world's population is expected to vote in 2024. Some argue that in many places, the election year of 2024 is a battle between democracy and autocracy, which could lead to increased political tensions. The discussion will also cover how both countries face the increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region along with AUKUS’s alleged plan for expansion to include Japan and China's increasingly assertive measures in the South China Sea.
Panel Chairs
- Dr Ken Setiawan (The University of Melbourne)
- Dr Bahruddin (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Speakers and Topics
- Professor Poppy S. Winanti, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
- Dr Randy W. Nandyatama, Lecturer, Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)
- Associate Professor Pradeep Taneja, Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies, School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS), The University of Melbourne
- Professor Maria Rost Rublee, Professor of International Relations, School of Social and Political Sciences (SSPS), The University of Melbourne
- Professor Vedi Hadiz, Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne
Contact
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For any questions about the event, please contact:
UGM Contact:
Yulida Nuraini Santoso (Manager of Global Engagement Office FISIPOL UGM)
Email: geo.fisipol@ugm.ac.id
or
UoM Contact:
Jemma Purdey
Email: jemma@unimelb.edu.au
Learn more about our past conferences