Indonesia, Australia academics cooperate in governance issues

Aditya Suharmoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 12/08/2009 11:35 AM

Twenty academics from Indonesia and Australia will intensify cooperation on priority governance issues in an Australian-funded research program, the Australian Embassy said Tuesday.

"By working in partnership, leading minds from Australia and Indonesia can support policy development in Indonesia and work towards addressing governance concerns," Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said in a statement.

The priority issues are climate change and food security, public financial reporting, local political parties in Aceh, insurance and social security, forest management and district-level lawmaking, according to the statement.

Those who will be involved in the joint-research program include senior government officials, heads of international organizations, also representatives from universities, policy think tanks and the media.