Indonesia Evolves: Towards the Making of Novel Economics, Sociopolitical and Scientific Landscape

Greeting from the Asian Society for International Relations and Public Affairs (ASIRPA), Indiana, Pennsylvania, USA. ASIRPA organizes both Indonesia Focus (IF) conference and an online scholarly and refereed journal called Journal of Asian Society for International Relations and Public Affairs (JASIRPA).

You are invited to submit your research findings to be presented at the IF-2015 conference with possible publication on the JASIRPA. The IF-2015 conference aims to identify any breakthrough initiatives to be offered from the perspectives of social, political, economic, education, culture, health and human services, science and engineering. Discussion and research presentations from a wide range of disciplinary areas are expected to produce ideas, suggestions, and recommendations to strengthen positive factors and reducing any negative factors in Indonesia future development.

The conference welcomes research presentation especially in the area of:

1. Social, Politics and International Relations
2. Economy
3. Communications, Media and Technology
4. Environment, Health and Human Services
5. Education and Culture
6. Science and Engineering

Below are some explanations for each division above to help you identify some areas of research that can be include in this conference.

1. Social, Politics and International Relations

The Indonesia National Development Planning Ministry (Bappenas) expects that Indonesia’s poverty rate will ease to 9-10 percent in 2015, from 11.3 percent in 2014. The minister is optimistic that the target for next year can be achieved because the government is currently optimizing several poverty alleviation programs. According to the minister, the key to the success of these programs is good coordination between the central and regional governments. The minister said that in recent years coordination between the central and regional governments has been good and thus resulted in a decline of absolute poverty from 32.5 million in 2009 to 28.3 million in 2014.

Commitment to achieving ASEAN Economic Commitment (AEC) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by 2015 will have the effect of instilling discipline at home for implementing the necessary domestic reforms. Indonesia’s domestic issues will benefit the country’s competitiveness, regardless of whether the region is fully integrated. At the same time, improvements to competitiveness will create momentum for increasingly bringing Indonesia into a more integrated region. Historically, Indonesia is willing to maintain the centrality of ASEAN. However, Indonesia has perceived ASEAN differently from a mere buffer zone of neutrality as in the past to a forum that is able to accommodate its bigger goal to maintain its relevance. Indonesia’s ability to position itself as the main mover of ASEAN norms and identity has buttressed its stature as the natural leader of ASEAN, as acknowledged in policy circles as well as the academic literature. Indonesia’s strategic positioning in ASEAN has led to an unprecedented surge of partnerships with key countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the European Union.

We invite papers related to description above as well as  case studies on Indonesia’s relationship with its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.

2. Economy

To develop the county’s economy, the new government is determined to boost Indonesia’s economic growth to at least 7.0 percent per year in the next two or three years, well above an average annual growth of 5.9% in the last five years. The government has set to, among others, gradually transform the bureaucracy into cleaner, more streamlined, and a more business and people friendly bureaucracy.  It has been working to revitalize Indonesia’s state enterprises. More specifically, the new government aims to transform Indonesia into a global maritime axis (poros maritime dunia). This would potentially allow Indonesia to not only develop a more maritime-based economy but also strengthens the nation’s maritime security, and serve as a global civilizational hub. Not surprisingly, projects such as building strategic infrastructure like ports, bridges, and roads across the country has been among the new government’s top priorities.

We invite paper submission related to but not limited to description above. Other topics with interdisciplinary background connecting economy to other discipline are also encouraged.

3. Communication, Media, Technology (CMT)

Media has been a very important not only in everyday life but also the government. During the last year election, for example, both mass media and social media have provided information and a space to express opinions not only for ordinary people but also the government. In addition, the advancement of mobile technology allows Indonesians to connect easily to the Internet. Today there are at least 71 million Internet users in Indonesia (InternetWorldStats, 2014). Facebook and Twitter are two of the main destination that people access to communicate or access news and information, providing a vibrant stage for democratic discussion and communication.

Communication Media Technology Division is calling for empirical research papers related to the theme of the conference. In addition, it invites case studies related to description mentioned above.

4. Environment, Health and Human Services

In the year 2014, Indonesian government has initiated two important initiatives that could help shaping the future of the country. The first initiative was the launching of a new health care initiative in early 2014 by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration. The second initiative was the merger of environment and forestry ministries under one roof by the Jokowi administration. Under this new system, the government is committed to provide universal health care to 250 million Indonesians. It is estimated that the program will cost $15 billion each year. This noble initiative has potential of becoming a stepping stone in improving delivery of basic human services by the Indonesian government, including in providing health care, education, housing, transportation, and safety. Nevertheless, it might face some challenges in its implementation due to inherent problem of bureaucracy, lack of transparency, weak oversight, as well as shortage of medical professionals and infrastructure. However,

We welcome any topic related to health care initiatives as well as topics that discuss human service provision in Indonesia. Topics can also include the implications of management and protection of Indonesia’s rich environment, which include vast marine and terrestrial biodiversity and energy resources. Papers and research related to an analysis related to governments initiatives whether it can prepare the country to be better in tackling the mounting environmental challenges, including global climate change, and help promote sustainable development at all levels of Indonesian societies are also invited. In addition, we also welcome submissions from any discipline highlighting other health, and environmental related issues in Indonesia, ranging from large-scale deforestation through industrial and residential pollution, from over-exploitation of marine resources to illegal wildlife trade.

5. Education and Culture

The Education and Culture strand of this conference invites proposals informed by research, theory, and practice from a diverse array of areas. We welcome topics that are from 1) early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, and adult education, 2) curriculum and instruction, 3) education leadership, 4) teacher education preparation, 5) language education, 6) STEM education, 7) instructional technology, 8) technical and vocational education, and 9) multicultural education and diversity.  The conference is particularly interested in how these topics reflect the current trends in Education and Culture and how they can be applicable to Indonesian education or Indonesian culture.

6. Science and Engineering

Indonesia House of Representatives passed an engineering bill in a bid to provide a framework for local engineers practicing in Indonesia. The bill still has to be signed by the president before it becomes law. The bill anticipates an influx of foreign engineers from neighboring countries to come to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Community in 2015, which will open up the region for an exchange of skilled and professional workers. Some highlighted points of the Indonesia engineering bill are: (a) foreign engineers can only practice in Indonesia in accordance with the needs of human resources, science and technology development that has been set by the national government; (b) to obtain a work permit, a foreign engineer must have a certificate of registration from the Union of Indonesian engineers (PII) which is based on the registration certificate or certificate of competency; and (c) foreign engineers can provide engineering services in disaster management, or incidental consultation without a work permit, although they should notify relevant ministries prior to starting work. Indonesia is said to be the eighth country in Southeast Asia region, which regulates professional engineers through statute law, leaving only Myanmar and Laos without such a framework. Indonesia faces a serious shortage of engineers despite its master plan of Accelerating and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development target. Indonesia is short of 30,000 new engineers every year to help build infrastructure across the vast archipelago of islands.

We invite paper submission related to but not limited to description above. Other topics with interdisciplinary background science and engineering to other disciplines such as human resources, education and others are also encouraged.

General Submission Guidelines

Indonesia Focus Conference accepts 2 categories of submissions.

(a) Extended abstracts of completed projects (empirical, methodological, theoretical, or critical). It should be 500-words in length. Submissions should use topic categories listed above. Please indicate in your title which division that the abstract falls under.

(b) Fully developed panel or round-table proposals (400-word description, with 100-word abstracts for each paper and contact information for each author).

All abstract submission must be completed online no later than April 1st, 2015. The abstracts MUST be written in English. To avoid technical problems, early submission is strongly encouraged. To avoid confusion, please use only one e-mail address for each conference participant. Please include your e-mail address at the bottom of your abstract. For more information, you can send e-mail to: info@indonesiafocus.net

There will be review process. Notification for acceptance or rejection will be sent out to the participants no later than May 1^st, 2015.

Conference Organizers

Conference Committee Chairs: Dr. Kustim Wibowo, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Dr. Muhammad Sifyan Ahmadin, Sullivan University, Lexington, Kentucky.

Host Site Committee Chair: Dr. Adrian Rodgers, The Ohio State University.

Toward a Better Future: Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges in Social, Economic and Political Change in Indonesia.

2014 is a big year for Indonesians due to the presidential election and the expected changes in a range of different sectors from politics, education, poverty alleviation and others. Sixteen years after the reform movement, Indonesians experienced social change. However, a significant economic development in the country has not strongly influenced the social condition of many Indonesians. The 2013 Indonesia Focus Conference indicated that there is a strong growing trend shown in the last ten years, but the economic state of Indonesia is still behind many neighboring countries. Human Development Index shows that Indonesia’s scores in several aspects of human quality and social infrastructure are the lowest among other Asian countries.

The conference aims to identify challenges that Indonesia has faced for the last few years from the perspectives of human development as well as social, economic and political sectors. In this conference, focus will be given to discuss not only challenges, but more importantly identifications of existing or possible opportunities that the country can pursue for the greater good. Discussion and research presentations from a wide range of disciplinary areas are expected to produce ideas, suggestions, and more importantly recommendations on how to strengthen these positive factors in the near future in Indonesia.

Divisions: The conference welcomes papers, especially in the area of:

-          Politics and International Relations

-          Social and Economy

-          Communications, Media and Technology

-          Education and Culture

-          Science and Engineering

Below are some explanations for each division:

Politics and International Relations

Under the current administration, Indonesia has made great economic development by about 5.5% to 6.5% every year from 2004 to 2014, except in 2008 when there was a great recession across the world. Indonesia also has been making a great stride to reach Millennium Development Goal (MGD) by reducing the number of people living in poverty – from 20.6% in 1990 to 11.9%  in 2012 – providing universal elementary education for children and reducing infant mortality from 68 per 1,000 births in 1991 to 34 in 2007. The 2014 election will create a mark in Indonesian political change, which can be in the form new presidency and different political system that can create an impact not only to Indonesians but also to people around the world. The conference encourages papers discussing the current political system as well as future change that might happen in terms of politics, social programs and international relations. Paper highlighting challenges in Indonesian politics and opportunities to create better relation with other countries are highly encouraged. Other topics related to politics and international relations are also welcome.

Social and Economy

The conference welcomes, among others, papers analyzing social and economic development practices applied in Indonesia such as micro-finance, the role of religion, the role of informal sectors, as well as papers that look into patterns and trends of factors affecting social and economic conditions such as population aging, general demographic changes, rural-urban migration and rapid urbanization, improvement in health and educational attainment, etc. The conference also encourages submission of papers that examine changes in the Indonesian social and economic characteristics after the financial crisis and how they affect the country now or in the near future, how well Indonesia is integrating itself into the international world through not only exports and imports, but also the advancement in the financial/stock market as well as more open policies toward foreign investments, etc. The conference also encourages papers that address the contribution of human and social capital in the development of the Indonesian social and economic system.

Communication, Media, Technology (CMT)

The Communication, Media, Technology focuses on original scientific research about the roles of communications, media and technology in identifying challenges in this area in Indonesia. Communication, Media and technology also have provided opportunities such as channels to voice changes and ideas for improvements and a better life. The division is looking for research areas that include access to media, audience research, popularity of TV shows in Indonesia, advancement in technology related to business development, government and development. Other areas of research in this division include new media, social media, human computer interaction, computer-mediated communication, and mobile communication in personal as well as business settings.

Education and Culture

The committee specifically welcomes papers that analyze: 1) political education development with emphasis on understanding political and economic trends as well as political choices in the society; 2) early childhood education with emphasis on the importance of early childhood development on future successes; 3) development of rural and urban education model as resources, constraints, and objectives for urban and rural education are distinct; 4) indigenous education and its sustainability as Indonesia consists of many indigenous communities and each has distinct values and knowledge; 5) development of education quality in developing countries, for example local government expenditure on education, student and teacher ratio, teachers’ education, and learning methods; 6) development of education and industry linkage, with emphasis on coordination between competencies building in schooling and the needs of industries. The conference committee also welcomes other topics in relation to education and culture.

Science and Engineering

Global warming and reducing poverty are two global interest discussed during the World Economic Forum in Davos last fall. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, have challenged heads of nations, political and business leaders, as well as community leaders to work together toward global low-carbon economy, a term that has been viewed as an oxymoron for near a century. As nation with large deposit of green energy resources such as solar, wind, tidal wave, and geothermal, Indonesia must contribute toward efforts that lead to reduction of carbon emission and pollution, particularly by industry and transportation. The challenges put forward by the UN must be viewed as a motivation for advancing the science, technology, and engineering of the nation through research and development programs, improving the educational systems and products, while at the same time prospering the economy and public health. The conference invites papers that discuss challenges and opportunities for the efforts toward advancing engineering and technology in Indonesia. The total research expenditure of Indonesia has reached a record high of merely 0.08% of the GDP in 2009, comparable to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, but lower than Malaysia of 1.01% and Turkey of 0.85% and much lower than the top expenditure by Israel of 4.5%. Topics that are welcomed include but not limited to 1. Analysis of the social, economic and political impact stem from the research and development expenditures fluctuation as the percentage of the GDP. 2. efforts on how government and private programs that (a) will boost the high tech export, (b) will invite high tech venture capital to be invested in Indonesia, (c) will inspires high tech expatriate Indonesian to go back to work and invest in Indonesia, (d) will embolden Indonesian start up to go international (e) and other program that will benefit Indonesia research and development in general.3. Challenges and opportunities for sustainable green technology with economic incentives

General Submission Guidelines

Indonesia Focus Conference accepts 2 categories of submissions.

(a) Extended abstracts of completed projects (empirical, methodological, theoretical, or critical). It should be 500-words in length. Submissions should use topic categories listed above.

(b) Fully developed panel or round-table proposals (400-word description, with 100-word abstracts for each paper and contact information for each author).

All abstract submission must be completed online no later than June 8th, 2014. The abstracts MUST be written in English. To avoid technical problems, early submission is strongly encouraged. To avoid confusion, please use only one e-mail address for each conference participant. Please include your e-mail address at the bottom of your abstract. For more information, you can send e-mail to: indofocus2014@gmail.com

There will be review process. Notification for acceptance or rejection will be sent out to the participants no later than  July 15th, 2014.

Conference Leadership

Conference Committee Chair: Dr. Nurhaya Muchtar, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Host Site Committee Chair: Dr. Adrian Rodgers, The Ohio State University

ASIRPA Conference: Indonesia Focus, 3 Juli 2010
Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center

Beberapa pembicara yang Insya Allah akan hadir diantaranya adalah:

a. Ir. H.Suswono, MMA, Mentri Pertanian RI.

b. Prof Dr. Ir. Suhardi. MSc. Guru Besar Fakultas Kehutanan UGM dan mantan
Direktur Jenderal Rehabilitasi Lahan dan Perhutanan Sosial,  Departemen Kehutanan dan Perkebunan.

c. Dr. Mike Reed,   Director, International Programs in Agriculture, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, USA

d. dll.

Kegiatan ASRPA cukup banyak termasuk:

1. Kerja sama perguruan tinggi di Indonesia dan Amerika.

Sebagai contoh, dua perguruan tinggi di Indonesia sudah menekan Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dengan ASIRPA untuk membentuk program 2 + 2 untuk mahasiswa S1. Artinya, 2 tahun sekolah di Indonesia dan 2 tahun sekolah di Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA.

2. Penerbitan jurnal ilmiah.
3. Pengadaan seminar dan konferensi.
4. Training untuk dosen-dosen di Indonesia
5. Penyelenggaraan training di Indonesia oleh profesional Indonesia di luar negeri yang pulang berlibur ke Indonesia.

Dinginnya New York di pertengahan musim gugur tahun 2009 ini tidak mengurangi semangat Profesor Dr. Abdul Razak Thaha, Direktur/Dekan Program Pascasarjana (PPs) Universitas Hasanudin (Unhas) memperpanjang perjalanan tugas kunjungan di Amerika Serikat. “Tidak salah kalau saya menunda beberapa saat untuk kembali ke Indonesia ”, ungkapnya memulai pembicaraan. Dr. Razak melanjutkan perkenalnnya bahwa dia justru merasa bersyukur menunda kembali ke Indonesia dengan alasan untuk networking dan akhirnya bertemu dengan Dr. Yusmin Alim di Cornel University.

Rasa syukur itu bertambah ketika Dr. Yusmin Alim memperkenalkan ASIRPA. Pertemuan singkat Dr. Razak dan Dr. Yusmin berlanjut  untuk sepakat mengadakan pertemuan pada tanggal 2 November 2009. Selain Dr. Yusmin Direktur Eksekutif ASIRPA, pertemuan juga dihadiri Presiden ASIRPA Dr. Kustim Wibowo dan Wakil Presiden ASIRPA Bambang Sutardjo, MSc, beberapa direktur dan staff ASIRPA.

“Perjalanan saya ke Amerika merupakan tugas dari Direktorat Jendral Pendidikan Tinggi (Dikti) Departemen Pendidikan Nasional ( Diknas) untuk rencana menjalin program kerja sama dengan perguruan tinggi-perguruan tinggi di Indonesia,” ucap Dr. Razak di awal pertemuan itu. Dr. Razak melajutkan pembicaraan bahwa hasil kunjungan tersebut akan disharing dengan para direktur PPs perguruan tinggi se Indonesia yang juga sedang diberi tugas ke luar negeri oleh Dikti dalam waktu bersamaan. Para direktur PPs Perguruan Tinggi Indonesia dikirim ke berbagai negara di LN untuk mulai menjalin kerja sama.

Usai penjelasan dari Dr. Razak, Presiden ASIRPA menyampaikan secara singkat program-program ASIRPA yang bertautan dengan pendidikan. Dr. Kustim menginformasikan bahwa program kerja ASIRPA disusun dalam 4 direktorat.ASIRPA telah menyiapkan program kerja sama (join program) pendidikan agar mahasiswa indonesia bisa menempuh kuliah di perguruan tinggi di USA tanpa harus menempuh seluruh waktu perkuliahan di USA . Program tersebut adalah 50:50 yang berarti setengah waktu perkulihan diharapkan ditempuh di Indonesia dan sisanya ditempuh di USA. Pada program ini, mahasiswa yang lulus akan mendapatkan ijazah dari PT asal di Indonesia dan ijazah PT di USA. Selain itu, Dr. Kustim mengucapkan terima kasih atas pertemuan ini.

Pada kesempatan pertemuan itu Director of Human Empowerment ASIRPA Dr. Nurhidajat Sisworaharjo menambahkan bahwa networking di antara warga Negara Indonesia di luar negeri dan di dalam negeri sangat penting. Jika networking berjalan baik maka persyaratan-persyaratan masuk ke  PT di Amerika Serikat bisa lebih ringan. “Bahkan kadang-kadang proses informal bisa mendahului proses resmi admission/pendaftran sebagai calon mahasiswa pascasarjana (S2/S3)”, imbuh Bambang Sutarjo membenarkan pernyataan Dr. Nurhidajat.

Dialog antara Dr. Razak dan ASIRPA di atas berlanjut setelah Profesor Razak kembali ke tanah air. Hasil lanjut pembicaraan itu adalah Rektor Unhas Profesor Dr. Idrus Paturusi mengundang kepada Dr. Kustim dan Dr. Yusmin untuk mengadakan pertemuan di Unhas. Pertemuan di Unhas akan membahas tidak lanjut kerjasama ASIRPA dan Unhas untuk pendidikan atau studi lanjut.

Pertemuan yang akan diselenggarakan tanggal 14 sampai dengan 16 desember 2009 itu juga akan membahas Legislative Training Program sebagai program jangka pendek. Acara akan dihadiri minimal 15 perwakilan dari pemerintah daerah dan lebih dari 100 delegasi dari pemerintahan setempat. Program legislative training bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kinerja dan kemampuan legislatif dalam pelaksananan pemerintahan. Pada kesempatan lain ASIRPA akan mengenalkan e-government dan beberapa aspek lanyanan masyarakat khususnya untuk kawasan timur Indonesia