ANU Indonesia Project 60th Anniversary Celebrations
Canberra 28 July - 1 August
Jakarta 12 August - 15 August
Day 1 - Monday 28 July 2025
Special PhD Student Seminar: Policy Making in Indonesia
Marking the kickoff of the ANU Indonesia Project’s 60th anniversary celebrations, our PhD scholars explores the theme of Policy Making in Indonesia, highlighting research from three emerging scholars. Gita Putri Damayana examines the regulatory framework that shapes policymaking in Indonesia, Joshua Walker offers a sociological perspective on the country’s energy transition and electric vehicle (EV) policy, and Dyah Pritadrajati discusses social policy from an economic standpoint. Each presenter will have 20 minutes to present, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. The session will be chaired by Ed Aspinall, a distinguished professor at the ANU. This event reflects the ANU Indonesia Project’s ongoing commitment to supporting scholarly dialogue on Indonesia’s development and governance and supporting the next generation of Indonesianists.
Indonesia Update Book Launch: The Jokowi Presidency in Indonesia
Edited by Sana Jaffrey and Eve Warburton, this volume examines Jokowi’s political evolution and the impact he has had on Indonesia. It casts Jokowi’s decade in office as one of authoritarian revival, which saw the return of statist developmentalism in the economic sphere and the resurrection of New Order–era tactics of co-optation and repression in the political sphere. The volume brings together experts from a wide range of fields, including foreign policy, security, economics, politics, law and human rights. In different ways, all contributors view Jokowi as a disruptive president, whose ambitious developmental agenda came at a high cost for Indonesia’s democracy.
The book was launched by Susannah Patton, Deputy Research Director and Program Director for Southeast Asia, The Lowy Institute.
Day 2 - Tuesday 29 July 2025
20th HW Arndt Lecture with Lisa Cameron
The HW Arndt Lecture honours Professor Heinz Arndt's long and distinguished career in development economics and Asia-Pacific regional studies. In 2025, the ANU Indonesia Project is proud to partner with the ANU Arndt-Corden Department of Economics (ACDE) and the Crawford School of Public Policy to present a special edition of the HW Arndt Lecture, featuring Professor Lisa Cameron (The University of Melbourne).
Indonesia has been enjoying a period in which its population age structure has been favourable to economic growth – the share of the population who are of working age has been increasing. This gives rise to a “demographic dividend'” which has the potential to spur growth. This period will, however, come to an end in 2030. China is a useful comparison case as its working-age population share has been decreasing since around 2010. China has maintained high economic growth in the face of the declining demographic dividend through a combination of rural to urban migration and dramatic increases in educational attainment. In this talk Lisa Cameron will examine what the declining demographic dividend means for Indonesia and whether it can emulate China's success.
Day 3 - Wednesday 30 July 2025
Special ISG: ANU Indonesia Project Travel Grants recipients
This special edition of the Indonesia Study Group, showcasing the work of past recipients of the ANU Indonesia Project Travel Grant. This session celebrates the breadth of research supported by the grant and highlights how it has contributed to scholarly and professional pathways focused on Indonesia. Our speakers, all accomplished alumni of the grant, will reflect on their research projects and explore themes of gender. Jayne Fendyk (2023 grantee) explores the role of Islamic women’s organizations in advancing anti-sexual violence legislation in Indonesia. Amara Steven (2017 grantee), an economist and current PhD candidate with the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, discusses women’s participation in Indonesia’s Blue Economy. Bronwyn Beech Jones (2017 grantee), an Assistant Lecturer at The University of Melbourne, presents Questions of Scale in Indonesian Gender History: Reflections and Directions. Jennifer Donohoe, Director, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will chair this special ISG.
Peter McCawley Book Launch: Inclusive Economic Development in Asia: A Celebration of Peter McCawley
The ANU Indonesia Project and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) for the launch of Pursuing Inclusive Economic Development in Asia, celebrating Peter McCawley’s legacy. The book offers insights on inclusive growth across Asia, featuring case studies and policy analyses from multiple countries.
Pursuing Inclusive Economic Development in Asia presents 13 chapters on various aspects of inclusive economic growth. Some chapters investigate the role of globalization and foreign direct investment, and several evaluate the impact of public policies. The volume features studies from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Vietnam, as well as studies with a regional focus. Researchers and policymakers will find insights, lessons, and cautionary tales related to inclusion and economic growth in the region.
Public Lecture with Dennis Richardson: The Australia and Indonesia Relationship
In celebrating 60 years of the ANU Indonesia Project, we invite you to a special ANU Public Lecture featuring Dennis Richardson AC, one of Australia’s most distinguished diplomats and public servants.
With decades of experience at the highest levels of government, including as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Defence, Dennis Richardson brings a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between Australia and Indonesia.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from a key figure in shaping Australia’s foreign policy at a critical moment in regional and global affairs. Join us for this exciting event as we explore the Australia-Indonesia relationship within the broader geostrategic context.
This event will be opened by Professor Anthony Connolly, Dean of the College of Law Governance and Policy, and chaired by Dr Elly Kent, Lecturer and Convenor of the Indonesian Language at ANU, and Deputy Director of the ANU Indonesia Institute.
Day 4 - Thursday 31 July 2025
Indonesia, ASEAN, and the crisis of globalisation - with Mari Elka Pangestu and M Chatib Basri
As US tariffs and the broader weakening of the multilateral trading system impact East Asia’s economic security, ASEAN-centred forums are emerging as key platforms for coordinating regional responses to address the immediate impacts of US protectionism. Beyond tackling new short-term challenges, how can Southeast Asia take leadership in building coalitions to reaffirm a regional consensus on free and open trade and investment, and incorporate emerging issues like climate change and AI into the regional integration agenda? This conversation brings together two of Indonesia’s most distinguished economic policymakers to assess how the crisis of globalisation is being seen from Southeast Asia, and how Australia can be a valuable partner to Indonesia in its efforts to drive a regional response through ASEAN-based platforms such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This event is co-hosted by the ANU Indonesia Project and the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research (EABER). Emeritus Professor Peter Drysdale moderates the event.
Day 5 - Friday 1 August 2025
Special Student Gathering - Breakfast Career Forum
The event was a unique and inspiring gathering that brought together distinguished ANU Indonesia Project alumni and friends, including H.E. Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia; M. Chatib Basri, former Minister of Finance; Anna Nursalim, a working mother active in the private sector as both a consultant and yoga teacher; and Rini Astuti, a senior lecturer at the Crawford School of Public Policy. During the event, the panellists reflected on their experiences at ANU, shared their personal career journeys, and offered insightful perspectives on policy, research, and international engagement opportunities. Their thoughtful advice sparked meaningful conversations with ANU students about leadership, public service, and professional pathways across Australia and Indonesia. The discussion was thoughtfully led by PhD scholars Dyah Katy and Muhammad Hali Aprimadya, who guided the conversation at the heart of the event.
Jakarta Day 1 - Tuesday 12 August 2025
Special FKP – ANU Indonesia Project PhD Alumni Policy Forum
The Special FKP – ANU Indonesia Project PhD Alumni Policy Forum was Organised by the ANU Indonesia Project in collaboration with LPEM FEBUI and The SMERU Research Institute, the forum brought together distinguished ANU PhD alumni to share policy-relevant research and insights. Chaired by Jonathan Gilbert, Minister Counsellor for Economic, Investment and Infrastructure at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the session featured Dr Deasy Pane on trade and industrial policy, Dr Abdurohman on macroeconomic issues, and Professor Arief Anshory Yusuf on poverty and inequality. Discussants included Riatu Qibthiyyah from LPEM FEBUI and Asep Suryahadi from SMERU.
ANU - KONEKSI Climate Policy Forum
Held in Jakarta, this event brought together ANU researchers and their Indonesian partners to present their work on climate resilience and sustainable development in Indonesia. Supported by KONEKSI, it showcased KONEKSI-funded research and its potential policy implications. The program featured a welcoming address by Dr Chaikal Nuryakin (LPEM UI), a welcoming speech by Prof. Budy Resosudarmo (ANU Indonesia Project), opening remarks by Mr Tim Stapleton (Australian Embassy), and a keynote speech by Bapak Pungkas Bahjuri Ali (Bappenas). Two research topics were highlighted: solar-powered desalination for fresh water supply in remote areas, presented by A/Prof. Jeremy Smith, Prof. I Nyoman Widiasa, and Dr Moh. Irfan Saleh; and the development of nutritious, climate-resilient crop varieties, presented by Prof. Barry Pogson, Prof. Yekti Asih Purwestri, and Ladiyani Retno Widowati. The event was moderated by Associate Professor Alin Halimatussadiah (LPEM UI).
Jakarta Day 2 - Wednesday 13 August 2025
8th Hadi Soesastro Policy Forum - Why institutions matter: how cooperation is key to productivity, national security, social stability, and environmental sustainability.
Held in collaboration with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Hadi Soesastro Policy Forum commemorated the legacy of Dr Hadi Soesastro and his contributions to Indonesian policy and scholarship. This year’s forum featured a keynote address by Dr Jenny Gordon, Honorary Professor at POLIS: the Centre for Social Policy Research at The Australian National University and non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute. Drawing on her extensive experience in economics, policy, and governance, Dr Gordon explored the relationship between institutions, trust, and development. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion with distinguished Indonesian policy thinkers, Professor Djisman Simandjuntak and Dr Titik Anas.
Indonesia Update book launch: The Jokowi Presidency
The ANU Indonesia Project marked its 60th anniversary in Jakarta with the launch of its latest Update Book, The Jokowi Presidency. The event featured contributions from editors Sana Jaffrey and Eve Warburton, along with chapter authors, who discussed the legacies, challenges, and debates sparked by one of Indonesia’s most consequential leaders. Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis officially launched the book. The volume examines Jokowi’s political evolution and his impact on Indonesia, portraying his decade in office as a period of authoritarian revival marked by statist developmentalism in the economic sphere and the return of New Order–era tactics of co-optation and repression in politics. Bringing together experts in foreign policy, security, economics, politics, law, and human rights, the book presents Jokowi as a disruptive president whose ambitious developmental agenda came at a high cost to Indonesia’s democracy.
