In the news

  • Yesterday was Pancasila Day. Jokowi reaffirmed his commitment to diversity in a vlog Saya Indonesia Saya Pancasila.
  • How are ‘religious values’ currently playing out in Indonesia? In the Conversation, Daniel Peterson explores the cases of Ahok and shari’a law in Aceh.
  • ‘I think gender equality should be supported, because I feel I am still exploring my creativity, while at the same time, not diminishing my obligations as a Muslim woman.’ This is the view of Firdda Kurnia, 16, one of three members of a heavy metal band in Indonesia.
  • The Australian government says it will not be represented in a Jakarta court hearing a $103 million class action on behalf of 115 young people incarcerated in Australia for alleged people smuggling.
  • ‘Being in Indonesia, it is hard to ignore the importance of family, land and culture in society. When you meet someone, they ask where you are from. This is much the same as in Indigenous culture, so we can establish our relation with each other.’ Current ACICIS student in Indonesia, Horace Hill, talks about his time in Bandung.

At the blog

  • We sit down with Rob Henry, maker of the film ‘As World Divide.’ Nine years ago, Rob left Australia and traveled to the Mentawai Islands, 150 metres off the coast of West Sumatra, to live with an indigenous tribal community. Now, he has returned with a simple message: watch a film, save a culture.
  • ‘When a local Dayak leader started negotiations by laying his sword on the table between us, I decided it was time to leave.’ Career Champion Dr Jeffrey Neilson, researcher and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, talks about his time in the bilateral relationship and advice to young people working in resources.

Events

  • Melbourne, 3 June – Share a meal and learn more about Ramadan with AIYA Victoria and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia’s Iftar dinner.
  • Melbourne, 6 June – Come along to AIYA Victoria’s weekly netball at RMIT A’Beckett.

Opportunities

  • Applications are now open for NAILA 2017! National Australia Indonesia Language Awards is an annual speech competition that rewards and fosters the development of Indonesian language learning in Australia at all levels. Primary school students through to executive level speakers apply by submitting a video of themselves speaking in Indonesian.
  • Want to get more involved? Check out their call for volunteers.

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