Australian-Indonesian Youth Meeting 2012 (Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, Indonesia, December 3,2012)

Written by Rebecca Greenwood Moderator of Australian-Indonesian Youth Meeting, and exchange student from Australia Edited by Angguntari Lecturer of Foreign Policy RIR 201-A Recently International Relations around 42 students studying Foreign Policy (RIR201_A), consisting of 39 Indonesian students and 3 Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) students from Australia, at the Department of International Relations, UNPAR met to discuss the implications of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper, released by the Australian government on October 28, 2012. The Asian Century White Paper is a roadmap to guide Australia for navigating the Asian Century. It lays out plan to ensure that Australia will become a more prosperous and resilient nation, by seizing the opportunities offered by the rise of Asia. In effort to achieve these main goals, the Australian government makes a rally call to Australian to prepare themselves through various ways to be able to engage the Asian region by 2025 better. With the release of Australian White Paper, it is important for the youth from Indonesia and Australia to gather, study the current Australian government policy towards Asia and its implication to the life of young people in both areas, and voice the younger generations viewpoints regarding this subject. As a young citizen of Australia and Indonesia, student of International Relations and someone who will enter professional life in the next couple of years, their life will be probably affected by the current and future governments decisions. In this occasion, the students identified a range of potential positive impacts on the relationship between Indonesia and Australia that the White Paper promotes. Education was viewed as the most probable positive result, as the Australian government is currently implementing policies to ensure that Asian languages, including Indonesian, are more widely offered in schools and looking to encourage more emphasis on Asian culture than is currently included in each states curriculum. Further, the White Paper promoted the idea of Australians studying in Asian countries and the idea of sister schools between Australian and Asian countries which would increase the direct contact that students in both countries have with each other. Both Australian and Indonesian students viewed these policies as positive as they recognise the importance of closer relationships and understanding between Australia and its Asian neighbours. Such an emphasis on Asia in the Australian education system would decrease common negative misconceptions, and increase cultural understanding and awareness. Indonesian students also welcomed the idea of encouraging their own government to have an increased focus on Australia and English language in schools to ensure that this cultural understanding is mutual.

Other future positive implications identified included the benefit that increased economic investment and trade between Australia and Indonesia would offer, the possibility of increased tourism for Indonesia as Australian society shifts its focus to Asia and the potential that increased cooperation and interdependence between Australia and Indonesia would have positive implications for the security of both nations as it would promote a more stable region. However, students were also critical of some aspects of the White Paper, noting that at times it seemed overly optimistic and often simplified complex issues. Major potential negative implications of policies outlined in the paper by both Australian and Indonesian students included the issue of a clash of values between Australia and Indonesia; the risk of environmental exploitation in Indonesia, the possibilities of more competitive job market in the future in both Australia and Indonesia, and the effect that the increased presence of Australian businesses would have on local Indonesian businesses. After discussion and viewing these issues from both perspectives students were able to propose some suggestions to ensure these challenges were minimised. Regarding the clash of values some students perceived that greater and closer bilateral interaction between Australia and Asia, including Indonesia would produce clash of values. One example that some students used when describing the Australian culture, which is associated with western culture, is the tendency of western society to adopt free sexual lifestyle or be obsessed with sex. This discussion highlighted that both Australians and Indonesians have misperceptions about each others culture, and that often these misunderstandings stem from the media portrayal of the other nation, whether through news reports, movies or other mediums. Responding to this concern, the Australian students agreed that an increased focus on Indonesian/Australian culture in the respective education systems, including ACICIS program, would represent a step forward in decreasing these misunderstandings and prevent future cultural conflicts, as would continued promotion of the movement of people between both nations, particularly in the form of student exchange and tourism. Such activities would allow students to experience the different culture firsthand. Both Australian and Indonesian students agreed that the improvement of Australian literacy, i.e. english language and cultural knowledge, would be useful to provide the future generation of Indonesia with the skill and knowledge to engage and communicate with Australians as both countries form a closer ties in the future. The issue of environmental sustainability was also discussed, with concerns raised about the possibility of the exploitation of natural resources by Australian companies if they expand to Indonesia. Solutions to this issue that were proposed included the possibility of a bilateral agreement between the countries to emphasis their mutual commitment to sustainability and to provide mechanisms for the monitoring of such resources. In addition, students suggested that there should be an increased focus on corporate responsibility in both Australian and Indonesian businesses, particularly in regards to the environment.

Another possible negative implication identified was the potential negative impact on local Indonesian businesses if Australian businesses seek to maximise Indonesia as a target market. Though this is a valid concern, students argued that this could also be utilised as an opportunity for Indonesian business with the possibility of technology exchanges and increased transfer of information between Australian and Indonesian businesses. Overall the discussion had regarding the White Paper was insightful as it showcased both Australian and Indonesian youth perspectives on future challenges in the AustralianIndonesian relationship, and proposed strategies for both countries to adopt to ensure a long term relationship that will be mutually beneficial for both nations. The discussion highlighted that cooperation between the nations is essential to maintain a positive relationship and that citizens of each country should seek to learn more about the other in an effort to better understand our neighbouring countries and cultures.