Indonesia, known for its abundant natural resources and cultural diversity, is home to numerous indigenous communities that continue to face challenges in adapting to modern developments while preserving their long-standing customary traditions.
On the one hand, the existence of indigenous peoples reflects national diversity and identity, deserving of welfare and recognition. In reality, however, legal practices, freedom of expression, and even land ownership often result in disadvantage and systemic injustice.
This issue was raised in a panel discussion titled ‘At the Crossroads of Development and Indigenous Representation’, held during the visit of a delegation from UGM’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM) to the University of Melbourne, Australia, as part of the commemoration of the 5th Australia-Indonesia in Conversation (AIC) collaboration, on Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2025.
The first panel, under the same title, addressed the structural disparities still faced by indigenous communities in the development process.
Keynote speakers included James Blackwell from the Australian National University and Dr. Bahruddin from FisipolUGM.
Dr. Bahruddin discussed the developmental gap between indigenous communities and urban populations.
According to him, development efforts remain largely urban-centric, while communities in suburban, remote, and underdeveloped (3T) regions have yet to receive equitable development suited to their local contexts.
“It is time for development to prioritize indigenous communities so they are not left behind in all aspects,” he said in a press statement sent to journalists on Monday, Jul. 21, 2025.
Dean of Fisipol UGM, Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, emphasized that the AIC 2025 academic collaboration underlines the importance of strategic discourse as a means for academia to contribute to public policy governance.
He noted that, in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and global democratic challenges, academic collaborations such as AIC offer a pathway toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all the teams from both institutions for their outstanding commitment and dedication in strengthening this collaboration and maintaining this valuable partnership,” he stated.
According to Dean Mas’udi, AIC is an annual international academic partnership forum designed to discuss strategic national and global issues.
The event was officially opened by institutional leaders and diplomatic representatives, including Professor Jennifer Balint, Dean of Arts at the University of Melbourne; Dr. Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia; and Rod Brazier, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.
Among the panel speakers were Dr. Justin Wejak from the University of Melbourne, Nur Abdiansyah from Universitas Negeri Makassar, Abdi Karya, an artist and cultural program curator from Makassar, Professor Kristen Smith from the University of Melbourne, and Dr. Fina Itriyati from Fisipol UGM.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Fisipol UGM