Conference puts Southeast Asia research in the spotlight
A recent Charles Darwin University (CDU) conference highlighted the contribution of local academics to understanding and overcoming challenges in Southeast Asia.
The mini-conference and networking event Understanding the North: Indonesia, East Timor, and the Asia-Pacific, held on February 27, 2024, showcased how researchers in Northern Australia are working to understand how the education, economic, social, environmental, and politics areas of these Southeast Asia regions are changing.
Conference convenor and CDU Lecturer in Indonesian Studies Dr Nathan Franklin, who presented on the Indonesian election alongside Professor Tirka Widanti, head of Universitas Ngurah Rai in Bali, said greater understanding of the Asia-Pacific region was key to Australia’s relationship with the region.
“Southeast Asia and Northern Australia are geographically close, sharing a similar climate and concerns in areas such as security, technology, environment, access and transport connectivity, as well as economic development,” Dr Franklin said.
“This mini-conference and networking event showcased how researchers in Northern Australia are contributing to understanding this region and the response required to the challenges of our time.”
The conference hosted more than 50 people on campus and more than 30 people online.
Special guests included Consul General of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in the Northern Territory Darwin Jose Amorim Dias, Rui Manuel Hanjam who is the Principal Advisor for the Ministry of High Education of Timor-Leste, and former deputy chief minister the Honourable Peter Styles.
Dr Franklin also presented a recent lecture on the 2024 Indonesian Election and the impact on Australian partnerships at CDU alongside Indonesia Director of The Australia-Indonesia Centre Dr Kevin Evans and Chair of the Australian Indonesian Business Council – NT, Kate Heelan on 18 April 2024.
Dr Franklin said that CDU punches above its weight in terms of engagement and research, with respect to our northern neighbours.
He believes that the Northern Territory must remain at the for forward of relations with and understanding of countries in our region.