Entries by iis.fisipol

[IIS Recap] Discussion with the Asia New Zealand Foundation: Contesting Loss for Indonesian Communities in Climate-Crisis

Yogyakarta, 27 June 2024 — The Global Engagement Office (GEO) and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Institute of International Studies, Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada (IIS UGM), hosted a discussion with the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The discussion was held in the Dean’s courtroom, 2nd floor of the BB building, FISIPOL, and included several series of activities in a hybrid scheme. It aimed to talk about the main theme of Contesting Loss for Indonesian Communities in Climate-Crisis.

Dr. Fina Itriyati, the Vice Dean of FISIPOL UGM, delivered her welcome speech.

The discussion was moderated by Yulida Nuraini Santoso, M.Sc, the Manager of GEO FISIPOL, and began with the opening remarks from Dr. Luqman-nul Hakim, the Director of the Institute of International Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada. It continued with a welcome speech from the Vice Dean of FISIPOL UGM, Dr. Fina Itriyati. “It is important to see how communities can participate in policy-making to ensure their voices are heard. Thus, cooperation between universities and think tanks is crucial to create a collective effort against climate change,” said Dr. Fina.

Dr. Jordan King from the Asia New Zealand Foundation delivered his welcome speech.

Furthermore, the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Representative also delivered a welcome speech. According to Dr. Jordan King, New Zealand and Indonesia share significant similarities, including the presence of strong indigenous communities, their geographical location within the Ring of Fire, a close trading partnership, and a history of colonization. Due to its significant economic expansion and geopolitical influence, it is imperative to visit Indonesia and have a comprehensive understanding of the country.

The discussion with the Asia New Zealand Foundation began with the first presentation from Ms. Elisa Sutanudjaja, the Executive Director of RUJAK Center for Urban Studies. This presentation was based on field research findings in the Penjaringan sub-district. Ms. Elisa highlighted that climate change is not well-identified. As communities experience different conditions, they have different methods to identify climate change. Her findings also suggest that the existing national policy puts communities at more risk since the community is not engaged in the policy-making process. The inadequate leadership and insufficient engagement with the community generate unclear indicators and goals of climate change that endangers the livelihood of the Indonesian community.

The second presentation was delivered by Dr. Agung Wardana from Universitas Gadjah Mada, who explained the loss and damage in Pari Island, Kepulauan Seribu Regency. According to Dr. Agung, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, where numerous small islands in the country are in danger. The beauty of Pari Island has led to conflicts over its ownership. The company asserts ownership over 90% of the island, while the government manages the remaining 10% for conservation. Additionally, due to the geographic condition of Pari Island, the area is more prone to face severe problems regarding climate change impacts, such as more frequent coastal flooding. It puts the communities in a vulnerable economic condition as they depend on fishing for their livelihood.

Dr. Luqman-nul Hakim, the Director of the Institute of International Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, presented his ongoing research in the discussion.

In the last presentation, Dr. Luqman-nul Hakim presented the Politics of Sustainable Development in an Age of Climate Crisis. Indonesia has been involved in various global climate regimes and tried to adopt the global goals on climate change. However,  the implementation of those normative goals in the national development context remains uncertain. “National climate governance strengthens the technocratic approach to deal with the climate crisis, and Indonesia has not sufficiently developed tools related to the Loss and Displacement issue,” emphasized Dr. Luqman. The discussion was then followed by a Q&A and documentation session.

Written by: Anggita Fitri Ayu Lestari
Editor: Albert Nathaniel & Nabilah Nur Abiyanti

GLOBAL SOUTH REVIEW | Volume 6 No. 1 July 2024

Newest edition of Global South Review is now available!

Global South Review is a social and political journal that aims to provide an academic and policy platform to exchange views, research findings, and dialogues within the Global South and between the Global North and the Global South.

Global South Review examines all the issues encountered by Global South in the context of current international justice, security, and order. The journal focuses, but not exclusively, on the role of Global South in global politics; the rise, demise, and possible revival of South-South internationalism and Bandung Spirit; and the dynamics of relations between Global South and Global North. Authors may submit research articles and book reviews in related subjects.

In this edition, GSR features five writings highlighting various issues paramount in the Global South.

Access it through the link:
jurnal.ugm.ac.id/globalsouth

[IIS RECAP] Revisiting EU-Asia Pacific Relations through the EUSAAP Conference 2024 with IIS UGM and ICES

Yogyakarta, 21 May 2024 – In order to maintain security, stability, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region, the European Union continues to strengthen its cooperation framework with countries in the region. It is reflected in the concrete action of the European Union initiated in 2021 through a cooperation map in seven priority sectors of cooperative relations, covering aspects of welfare, green energy transition, maritime governance, digital governance and partnerships, connectedness, security and defense, and human security. Aligning with the objectives of the European Union cooperation policy, the European Union Studies Association (EUSA), in collaboration with the Indonesian Community for European Studies (ICES) and Institute of International Studies, Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada (IIS UGM), held the EUSAAP Conference 2024. This conference aims to become a strategic forum for academics to exchange knowledge about innovations, conditions, and observations regarding changes in the foreign policy landscape of the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region from interdisciplinary perspectives.

The conference host, Mr. Muhadi Sugiono, delivered his welcoming speech at the opening session in Balai Senat, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The EUSAAP Conference 2024 began with an opening session at Balai Senat, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This session included opening remarks from Mr. Muhadi Sugiono as the conference host, Prof. Martin Holland as EUSAAP Secretary General, and Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro as Vice Rector for Education and Learning of Universitas Gadjah Mada. The keynote speech and presentation were delivered by Mr. Stéphane Mechati, EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. The opening session continued with a roundtable discussion, which delved deeper into the main theme of the conference, Revisiting EU-Asia Pacific relations, led by Dr. Luqman Nul Hakim.

According to Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, Vice Rector for Education and Learning of Universitas Gadjah Mada, the EUSAAP Conference 2024 serves as a significant platform for revisiting the European Union and Asia Pacific relations in the context of current urgent concerns. Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro emphasized that the conference serves not only to discover new strategies in partnerships but also to continuously evaluate the readiness and dedication to building strong partnerships between the European Union and Asia Pacific.

Reflecting on that urgency, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro stated that the EUSAAP Conference 2024 is an important forum to produce inclusive knowledge for reshaping the global governance order. “As academics, we are crucial in providing nuances and perspectives on global governance. We are the beacon to produce inclusive knowledge that will be used for shaping or reshaping global governance. Hence, your participation in this conference would be highly appreciated,” said Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro.

In a short interview with the EUSAAP President, Mr. Muhadi Sugiono highlighted the dynamic relations between the European Union and Asia Pacific. The relationship between the two parties is considered promising because of their mutual interests. Nevertheless, the obstacles are reflected in the need to harmonize the multicultural condition of the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region. Therefore, efforts to enhance the relations between the European Union and Asia Pacific are crucial in order to foster security stability and encourage positive growth. “We need to build better communication and understanding that will create better relations. Hence, the real partnership can be achieved meaningfully,” Mr. Muhadi Sugiono explained.

The significance of the EUSAAP Conference 2024 towards the European Union and Asia Pacific relations was also delivered by Prof. Martin Holland, EUSAAP Secretary General. This conference serves as an essential measure to maintain the cooperation between the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region, along with the global geopolitical transition. It is interesting to see how experts, diplomats, and young postgraduates discussed their research. Indonesia’s rise as a global economic and cultural center has encouraged the European Union to recognize the diversity of the Asia Pacific region. In this regard, the European Union has attempted to change its approach towards the Asia Pacific region to create better political-economic policies.

In line with Prof. Holland’s statement, the Vice Head of the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, Stéphane Mechati, underscored the importance of a forum to bring together diverse perspectives and interests from Indonesia and the European Union. Not just propaganda from a single party, but the European Union wants to build dialogue and reciprocal relations, establishing mutually advantageous partnerships for the European Union and the Asia Pacific Region.

One of the participants presented their research in the panel presentation and discussion.

Following the end of the opening session of the EUSAAP Conference 2024, the conference proceeded with a panel presentation and discussion held at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM. Around 40 academics and researchers, both undergraduate and postgraduate from various countries, attended the panel presentation session. In addition to presenting their research findings, the academics also had the chance to exchange opinions and provide comments on the study related to the interactions between the European Union and Asia Pacific.

Written by: Albert Nathaniel & Anggita Fitri Ayu Lestari