Wednesday and Thursday, 21 and 22 August 2024 – This 2-day joint conference by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), aims to provide a platform for academic dialogue on multifaceted issues related to societies’ responses to social and ecological precarity in Indonesia.
ISEAS-BRIN JOINT HYBRID CONFERENCE
INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME
The hybrid conference on “Precarity and Sustainability: Society and Ecology in Indonesia”, held on 21 and 22 August 2024, was jointly organised by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). A total of 21 physical participants and 114 online participants attended the two-day event.
The conference broadly covered seven main themes: (1) Deforestation and its Impacts on Ecology and Society; (2) Unsustainable Agricultural Practices; (3) Pollution and Waste Management; (4) Marginalisation and Resource Conflicts; (5) Social Inequity and Poverty; (6) Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation; and (7) Green and Blue Economies for Sustainable Development. These themes were discussed by 21 speakers and 7 moderators.
Welcome Remarks
Dr Hui Yew-Foong (Coordinator of Indonesia Studies Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute) expressed hopes that this fourth conference organised with BRIN, will elucidate creative and interdisciplinary solutions to presented problems.
Professor Ahmad Najib Burhani (BRIN) highlighted three broad objectives for the conference: (1) to deepen understanding of environmental precarity; (2) to facilitate dialogue in identifying innovative strategies; and (3) to provide evidence-based insights on communities affected by precarity. This conference aims to have a focused discussion in preparation for the publication of an edited volume.
Keynote speech 1: Ecological and Social Precarity in Southeast Asia
Dr Vinod Thomas (ISEAS) provided a broad overview of the challenges faced by Indonesia, such as lack of natural capital, ecological destruction, decreased economic growth, and large emissions of greenhouse gases. He fielded questions on investing in coastal regions to mitigate sea level rise, valuing nature-based solutions through “nature-adjusted” economic indicators, and ensuring environmental compliance of foreign investment through ecological guides.
Panel 1: Deforestation and its Negative Impact on Ecology and Society
Professor Herman Hidayat (BRIN) argued that the root cause of Indonesia’s deforestation during the New Order and Reformation eras could be attributed to a corrupted political system keen on economic interests from extractive industries like palm oil. Dr Rospita O. P. Situmorang (BRIN) presented the effects of deforestation on local wildlife species and its impacts on local communities in Sumatra. Mrs Tria Anggita Hafsari (BRIN) analysed forest land-use changes in Seluma Regency, southern Bengkulu.
The discussant for this panel was Dr Laely Nurhidayah (BRIN). During the Q&A session, the panel answered questions on policymaking issues and balancing mitigation and adaptation strategies when addressing Indonesia’s deforestation and land use issues. Dr Rusli Cahyadi (BRIN) moderated this panel.
Panel 2: Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
Prof Rahmawaty (Universitas Sumatera Utara) presented her study on a community-based organisation’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in North Sumatra, to reverse environmental degradation, ensure long-term food security, and promote social equity. Ms Esti Anantasari (Universitas Gadjah Mada) presented her research and creation of a board game, “Sisibulat,” to empower local communities in Southwest Sumba by gaining a personal and effective stake in food production and serves as a warning against future episodes of hunger. Dr Rony Megawanto (KEHATI Foundation) presented how promoting climate-resilient sorghum can improve food security.
The discussant for this panel was Ms Elyssa Kaur Ludher (ISEAS). The Q&A session touched on various issues regarding utilising local knowledge, leveraging technologies, gamification as a means of communication, and raising awareness together with incentivising different agricultural practices and products. Ms Julia Lau (ISEAS) moderated this panel.
Panel 3: Pollution and Waste Management
Ms Sari Seftiani (BRIN) advocated for community-based waste processing initiatives through urban farming in Jakarta. Dr Trina Fizzanty (BRIN) presented the complexities and disjuncts between education and action surrounding waste disposal. Professor Prasad Kaparaju (Griffith University) presented the potential of biogas production from sugar industry waste.
Dr Ahmad Helmy Fuady (BRIN) was the discussant of this panel. During the Q and A session, questions were raised concerning raising community participation in waste management programmes, the challenges of environmental education between different stakeholders, and contingencies to be implemented for the effective execution of waste management policies. Dr Nawawi (BRIN) moderated this panel.
Day 2
Keynote Speech
Dr Raditya Jati (BNPB) opened the second day of this conference by presenting ecological and social precarity in Indonesia through the framework of disaster management. He emphasised the importance of cultivating resilience and countering “resilience deficits” like climate change impacts on coastal infrastructure and insufficient early warning systems. He advocated for five pillars of sustainable resilience; good governance, investment, infrastructure, science and technology, and people-centeredness.
In the Q&A session, questions were fielded on the importance of leadership in disaster management, efficient communication strategies, and multi-sector collaboration to respond to disasters. The keynote speech was moderated by Dr Hui Yew-Foong (ISEAS).
Panel 4: Pollution and Waste Management
Associate Professor Maribeth Erb (NUS) presented a case study on the precarity and sustainability of tourism developments in Labuan Bajo, Flores. Mr Yogi Setya Permana (BRIN) presented the marginalization of communities living near extractive nickel mining industry. Dr Rusli Cahyadi (BRIN) sought to investigate the marginalization of local communities in Nusantara’s Forest City.
The discussant of this panel was Associate Professor James Davidson (NUS). The Q&A session fielded questions about international pressure on extractive industrial policies, reconciling differences amongst different stakeholders, and the role of NGOs in assisting climate change mitigation efforts. Professor Rahmawaty (Universitas Sumatera Utara) moderated this panel.
Panel 5: Social Inequity and Poverty
Dr Siwage Dharma Negara (ISEAS) presented the agrarian conflicts and Indigenous rights issues due to the encroachment of the palm oil industry in Papua. Mr Felix Wisnu Handoyo (BRIN) presented on household disaster risk management in Indonesia. Mrs Astri Hanjarwati (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) examined the ideas of inclusion and resilience building by analysing how people with disabilities in Yogyakarta navigate environmental challenges.
The discussant of this panel was A/P Maribeth Erb (NUS). The Q&A session touched on the role of education, the recognition of laws to protect local communities from environmental degradation, and expanding the analyses of the resilience of people with disabilities to those without disabilities. Dr Maria Monica Wihardja (ISEAS) moderated this panel.
Panel 6: Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation
Ms Melinda Martinus (ISEAS) presented her analyses of the complexities of international climate cooperation, with special focus on Indonesia’s climate agenda. Ms Gusti A. K. Surtiari (BRIN) presented a study on climate change adaptation by the urban poor. Dr Laely Nurhidayah (BRIN) presented the legal constraints in climate change mitigation and adaptation through a case study of mangrove restoration in Semarang.
The discussant of this panel was Professor Herman Hidayat (BRIN). The Q&A covered topics on integrating climate goals, mitigation policies for Jakarta in the light of Nusantara’s eventual construction, and the construction of sea walls. Dr Mirza Sadaqat Huda (ISEAS) moderated this panel.
Panel 7: Green and Blue Economies for Sustainable Development
Dr Ahmad Helmy Fuadi (BRIN) presented the green initiatives to tackle energy precarity in Indonesia. Dr Purwanto (BRIN) analysed the challenges and potentials of organic farming for sustainable agriculture in Bali. Dr Yus Budiyono (BRIN) presented sustainable blue economies in urban land-subsidence areas.
The discussant for this panel was Dr Nawawi (BRIN). The Q&A session discussed the role of local knowledge in developing green initiatives and the paradoxes of various green and blue initiatives. Dr Siwage Dharma Negara (ISEAS) moderated this panel.
