While more than 1 million Australians travel to Indonesia annually, Australians still have misconceptions about Indonesia. What are some of these misconceptions? 

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In the news

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting democracies in the Asia-Pacific region in ways that demand Australian attention. An illiberal turn across the region has been exacerbated by the pandemic. How has it affected Indonesia? Read more of Melissa Crouch’s piece here. (The Interpreter) 
  • As a hard-won free trade agreement (IA-CEPA) with Indonesia comes into effect this week, and concerns grow about Australia’s economic reliance on China, experts warn Australia’s Asia literacy is likely to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including Indonesian studies. (ABC News)
  • The pandemic has had unexpected ramifications beyond health. COVID-19 is expected to present unprecedented challenges in Indonesia’s fight against another disaster- forest fires, as the haze season looms. (Channel News Asia)
  • In line with most other public events taking place amid COVID-19, Indonesia’s 75th Independence day is to be commemorated digitally on August 17th in compliance with prevailing health protocols, as this Jakarta Post article outlines. (Jakarta Post)
  • Indonesia’s first reusable cup rental service has been launched in Jakarta! ‘Cupkita’ will enable Jakartans to avoid single-use cups in a city that produces 2,400 tonnes of plastic trash a day. Hebat ya! Yuk baca lebih lanjut disini. (Eco-Business) 

 

Events

 

  • AIYA x  UniBRIDGE Online Language Exchange (‘FLEX’) – FLEX, run in partnership with our friends from the UniBRIDGE Project, is more than just a language exchange. FLEX is the place where young Australians and Indonesians meet to exchange ideas, make friends and learn a language. Join and be a part of this growing online movement between our two nations. Please find the FLEX schedule here. Sign-up at: www.universitybridgeproject.org (for AIYA members only)⠀
  • 11 July – Join AIYA Jakarta and AIYA NTT on the film screening of the Australian film ‘Bran Nue Dae’ on 1 pm WIB/ 4pm AEST The movie tells a story of the coming of age of an Aboriginal Australian teenager on a road trip in the late 60s. Join this WhatsApp group to register. 
  • 19 July, Brisbane- Food and fashion has particularly gained traction among the youth of Indonesia and Australia. Join AIYA Queensland on ‘Food Fashion Diplomacy: Introducing Indonesia in Australia.’ On the Sunday afternoon, join in for lunch, cooking demo, and a mini fashion show. More info here.
  • 23 July- Join the Australia-Indonesia Centre for their In Conversation Webinar: Geopolitics in a post-COVID world. Australia and Southeast Asia will have to find a way to balance the relationship between the powers of China and the USA. How can Indonesia and Australia work together to encourage stability in the region? This webinar will take place at 1pm AEST.  Join here.  
  • 3-5 August- Join Sydney Southeast Asia Centre on their 8th ASEAN Forum. This year’s forum will focus on responses to COVID-19 across ASEAN countries. The event will take place entirely online. View the program here. 
  • Suara Indonesia Dance are hosting online dance classes via zoom. They’re held Friday nights, 6.30pm – 7.30pm. All ages and levels welcome. Read more – book via paypal here. 
  • Indonesia Project Global Seminar – ANU’s Indonesia Project is bringing you a weekly series of seminars on COVID-19 right to your living room. Join in for live discussions or surf through the archives of previous seminars here. 

 

COVID-19 support

  • ACICIS needs your help! With international travel bans in place, ACICIS’ existence is under threat. As a result they have launched a fundraising appeal to raise funds to help preserve ACICIS in both Australia and Indonesia. We understand that these are tough economic times, but with your support, we hope they can make it to the other side of this pandemic. To read more about the appeal and to donate, click here.  
  • AIYA is providing updates on the status of COVID-19 and its impact on upcoming AIYA events as well as the current status of travel restrictions for Australian and Indonesian citizens. To keep updated, read it here – Bahasa Indonesia and English. AIYA is also aware that some of our members may be going through difficulties due to the circumstances of the pandemic. Government information including support for international students in Australia and Indonesia is on the website. 

Opportunities

 

  • The ASEAN Foundation  is seeking Terms of Reference Programme Intern. This 8-24 weeks flexible internship will offer you opportunity to work in Resource Mobilisation, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting and Communication and Organisational Tasks. More info here.
  • Applications for the National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA) 2020 Competition are open NOW! This year’s theme is HEALTH! Check out their website for more information regarding dates & categories! Apply now!
  • Are you passionate about the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship? Use your knowledge of both countries and be a part of CAUSINDY as their Digital Content Producer. Applications close This sunday, 12 July. Click here for more info. 
  • Have you got some stories to share about Southeast Asia? Pitch an idea to The Sydney Southeast Asia Centre. SSEAC is looking for  a breadth of disciplinary focus including history, law, political science, agriculture, medicine, among others. For more info click here.
  • Center for Indonesian Policy Students is seeking participants for ‘the Emerging Policy Leaders Program.’ Application is open to Indonesian nationals up to 25 years old. Participants need a minimum GPA of 3.20 and minimum 1 year work experience research or internship program. Application due 15 July. More info here.
  • The Asia Foundation is seeking Team Leader for their ‘Australia-Indonesia Partnership Towards an Inclusive Society’ project funded by DFAT. The candidate will be based in Jakarta and would have considerable work experience and networks in Indonesia at national and subnational levels. Application closes 15 July. Apply here. 
  • Join the Australia Indonesia Association of Victoria on their weekly Bahasa Indonesia language classes online via Zoom. The class will commence on 21 July 2020 and capped at 8 people per class. Don’t miss your spot! More info here.
  • UNESCO Jakarta Office has an open call for proposals on ‘Coronavirus Response Support for Non-Profit Youth and Sports-based Initiatives’ for USD$3000 funding.’ Indonesian organisations and non-profit youth/sports organizations with demonstrated capacities for using sports for positive good are welcomed to apply. Application closes 25 July. More info here.
  • In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Indonesia Independence, the Indonesian Embassy is organising 3 virtual contests in Bahasa Indonesia. Video collection period ends on the 27th of July. For more info click here.
  • Stay tuned! The ReelOzInd! 2020 Competition is now accepting entries until 1 August. The competition theme this year is ‘energi/energy’. Understandably, many filmmakers may be limited in some ways, but hopefully isolation can provide the perfect opportunity for your creativity to flourish! Find the Call for Submissions Trailer on YouTube here.
  • As 2020 began, the world watched as the COVID-19 pandemic slowly spread its way across the globe. Across the countries of ASEAN, this unprecedented event played out in diverse ways. Join Sydney Southeast Asia Centre’s ASEAN Forum 2020: Responses to COVID-19, to learn more about how ASEAN countries have coped and adapted to this new world. More info here.
  • Scholarships are available from the Chulabhorn Graduate Institute and ASEAN Foundation Joint Post-graduate Scholarship Programme in Science and Technology.  The scholarships are available for ASEAN nationals (except Thai) who are interested in pursuing masters at Chulabhorn Graduate Institute. Send your application before 30 October 2020. More info here.
  • Difabel Kerja is a recently-launched participatory film project related to employment for people living with a disability in Indonesia. The four films in the Disability Learning Series are available copyright-free for streaming and download for any positive use by any business or organization. Check it out. 
  • ACICIS is inviting all of its alumni to join the all-new alumni platform. It is packed with new features such as alumni directory, jobs and opportunities page, events page, interest-group pages, as well as other exciting features that will be added regularly. To sign-up, please visit their alumni website here.
  • Inside Indonesia publishes original pieces on a wide range of political, social, environmental and cultural issues in Indonesia. They accept articles from a diverse range of people who have an interest in Indonesia. To find out how to contribute, click here. 
  • Looking to upskill during self-isolation? Some Australian universities are offering a range of free online courses covering areas such as cyber security, climate change, business data analytics, digital marketing, mental health and many more. These are accessed through the website Future learn and Class Central.

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