Short Course Participants Embark on Transformative Experience in Foreign Policy and Strategic Equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific

The Australian Embassy Jakarta hosted a Pre-departure Networking Reception for the exceptional Australia Awards Short Course participants on 25 October 2023. The course participants, who are policymakers and analysts representing the Government, academics, international relations think tanks and publications, and media organisations, attended the pre-course workshop in Jakarta on 24 – 26 October and will depart to Australia to attend the Foreign Policy: Strategic Equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific Short Course at Griffith University on 20 November – 1 December 2023.

Ambassador Penny Williams PSM wished the course participants success in their academic pursuits at Griffith University. She highlighted the importance of the Short Course in deepening Indonesian policymakers' and analysts' understanding of foreign and strategic policy challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the reception, the course participants had the privilege of connecting with representatives from Indonesian institutions, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs and the National Resilience Institute, as well as representatives from the Australian Embassy Jakarta. The conversations were rich with ideas on foreign policy and how to strengthen Indonesia-Australia cooperation in the region.

Bambang Aditya Warman, a course participant and journalist, producer, and anchor at Southeast Asia Today (SEA Today), shared his thoughts on the significance of the Foreign Policy Short Course. He said, “The Indo-Pacific region is a focal point in global affairs. As a journalist, understanding its foreign policy is not just beneficial, but it's also our responsibility to provide accurate, insightful, and comprehensive coverage of this critical area. Understanding the pivotal role of the Indo-Pacific region in Australia's foreign policy is a topic I'm keen to explore further.”

Another course participant, Aloysius Selwas Taborat, a legal counsel for the Politics of International Law Department at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, “As neighbours, Indonesia and Australia are always destined to seek mutual understanding, foster cooperation, and mitigate misperception. Through this course, I would like to delve into the minds of policymakers, intellectuals, and other concerned parties in Australia about how they perceive the future of Indonesia – Australia relations amid the rising narrative of Indo-Pacific.”

The Foreign Policy: Strategic Equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific Short Course is designed to deepen the understanding of Indonesian policymakers and analysts regarding the complex challenges of foreign and strategic policy. The participants will delve into topics of paramount importance, including the roles of ASEAN and its member states, the significance of the multilateral system, and strategies for addressing emerging security challenges, be they traditional or non-traditional. These encompass maritime security, cyber and critical technology, countering disinformation, health, food, and supply chain security, and the ever-pressing issue of climate change.

These course participants are the torchbearers of change, carrying with them a deeper understanding of the complex challenges in foreign and strategic policy. As they embark on this transformative experience, we anticipate the invaluable insights, knowledge, and fresh perspectives they will bring back to their respective spheres. Representing the next generation of leaders, they will shape the future of Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific region, making a lasting impact. We look forward to witnessing their remarkable journey unfold.