7 November 2006
The devolution of political authority in Indonesia -- its many pitfalls and positives -- will be the focus of a lecture series to be convened by Monash University on Thursday 9 November.
Dr Craig Thorburn, Coordinator of Monash University's International Development and Environmental Analysis program, said there were several stages in Indonesia's experiment with political decentralisation.
"Literature on decentralisation touts the benefits of greater responsiveness, efficiency and accountability," Dr Thorburn said.
"But popular and scholarly assessments of decentralisation in Indonesia have portrayed a system of governance that has moved rapidly towards greater exploitation and corruption.
"At the same time, there are many encouraging accounts of excellent regional regulations and management activities, and of local communities campaigning for better deals from government."
What: The Annual Indonesian Lecture Series
Topic: Regional Autonomy -- Shifting Loci of Power?
When: Thursday 9 November, 2006 at 7pm
Where: Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre, corner Sturt Street and Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne.
Guest speakers will be Dr Chusnul Mar'iyah from the University of Indonesia's Department of Political Science; the Australian National University's Ms Ida Aju Resosudarmo; and Associate Professor Richard Chauvel from Victoria University.
The lecture series is being convened by Monash University's Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, in association with ABC Radio Australia and the Australian-Indonesian Association of Victoria.
RSVP to Tony.Donaldson@adm.monash.edu.au . For more information contact Mr John Watts at Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9315, or Ms Penny Fannin on +61 3 9905 5828 or 0417 125 700.
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