Photo: Asian Development Bank

Contrary to global trends indicating a gender-related pay gap, recent research suggests that women in Indonesia are paid more than their male counterparts for the same job. However despite Indonesia’s outlier status, Indonesian women are still less likely than men to work in top positions.

In the news

  • The first foreign university is expected to open in Indonesia this year as part of the country’s attempt to improve higher education performance. Alongside this mission, Indonesia is pushing its top five universities to become world-class by 2019.
  • In light of Uber’s recent withdrawal from the Southeast Asian region, Go-Jek, the Indonesia-based ride-hailing app is anticipated to fill this void, by investing $500 million dollars to expand into Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.
  • Indonesia at Melbourne explores events which have led to internal divisions within its two largest Muslim organisations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah since the fall of the New Order and how they have affected the organisations’ religious and political positions.
  • Indonesia continues to have one of the highest rates of smoking in the world. Australia’s undisputed status as a world leader in tobacco control suggests it should play a role in helping Indonesia drive long-term change in smoking-behaviours.
  • Since Indonesian contemporary art emerged into the international scene it has been expected to say something about Indonesia. Greg Doyle highlights how past politics and present pragmatism has driven its contemporary art to resist conservative notions of ‘keindonesiaan’ and command new respect in the global art world.
  • Indonesian photographer Agan Harahap’s seeks to raise awareness of fake news through his faux-paparazzi snaps. His rise to viral fame from these doctored photos remains timely given the Indonesian government’s attempts to tackle the proliferation of online hoaxes.
  • A day before formally commencing his position as Indonesian correspondent in Jakarta, ABC journalist David Lipson recounts being swiftly deployed to cover the series of suicide bombings which occurred in Surabaya earlier this month.
  • Indonesian journalist Tri Joko Her Riadi and Australian journalist Andrew Green have both received the 2018 Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism Award. The award builds on the work of Elizabeth O’Neill to foster mutual understanding of Australia and Indonesia through accurate and informed media coverage.

On the blog

  • Voluntourism is an increasingly popular form of international travel that allows travellers to contribute to sustainable development initiatives whilst exploring a new country and culture. This week on the blog, Alexander Horton lays out the three questions every volunteer should ask themselves to ensure they get the most out of their voluntourism trip abroad.  

Events

AIYA are still hosting screenings of the incredible Indonesian documentary, Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail, across Australia.

  • Hobart – 8 June, 7pm, Centenary Lecture Theatre, University of Tasmania
  • Darwin – Rescheduled! Details TBA
  • Perth – Rescheduled! Details TBA

Grab your tickets using the above links to secure your spot! For any questions about any of the screenings, please contact your local chapter.

Opportunities

  • Join AIYA QLD! The Chapter is looking for an Events Officer, Sunshine Coast. If you’re interested in joining the team please email [email protected].  
  • The Asian Studies Association of Australia is seeking self-motivated, energetic students to volunteer at its premier, biennial conference on the 3-5 July at the University of Sydney. Click here for more information about the positions and email [email protected] by 14 June if you are interested!
  • Are you a youth leader (21-35 years old) in the Australia-Indonesia space? CAUSINDY wants you for its annual youth conference! This year’s program will be held from 5-8 September in Makassar, the vibrant maritime capital of South Sulawesi and gateway to eastern Indonesia. Applications close 4 June 2018. Don’t miss out!
  • Indonesia Development Forum (Jakarta, 10-11 July 2018) is hosting a competition to tackle regional disparities across the Indonesian archipelago. You must submit either a blog, vlog, or infographic which discusses how you would overcome regional inequalities (#AtasiKesenjangan) in Indonesia.
  • Saksara, an Indonesia-based organisation dedicated to facilitating international research collaboration and transnational education, is searching for a new Research & Communications Associate in Bandung. Details attached. Be quick, applications close end of June!
  • Applications for the AIC’s ReelOzInd! Short Film Festival are now open! This year’s theme is ‘Youth’. Ayo, bikin film, yuk! Submission close 31 July 2018.
  • Learning a language? Get Indonesian & English language help with UniBRIDGE Project.

Like what we do and want to join or support your local chapter to contribute to our exciting activities? Sign up as an AIYA member today!