Australian Defence College and Indonesian National Resilience Institute Enhance Dialogue on Regional Security Challenges

A delegation of students from the Australian Defence College’s Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies met their counterparts at the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) today to discuss contemporary challenges to security in the region such as global warming, natural disasters and transnational crime.

This is the first activity between the two institutions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last October on closer education-related cooperation.

“The discussions provide an excellent opportunity for future senior leaders from both countries to develop a common understanding on regional security issues, recognising many of these challenges can only be addressed effectively through continued cooperation,” Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said.

The cooperation between the Australian Defence College and the Indonesian National Resilience Institute reflects the very close defence ties between the two countries.

Education remains an important pillar of cooperation in the bilateral defence relationship.

Both institutions have expressed a commitment to enhance cooperative links through greater academic discourse between students on strategic challenges of shared concern.

“We are honoured and pleased that Australia is one of the first foreign countries invited by the Indonesian National Resilience Institute to send a student on its regular course commencing next year,” Mr Farmer said.

During their visit to Indonesia, students from the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies will expand their understanding of the security circumstances, culture and history of Australia’s closest neighbour through meetings and discussions with military, government and industry officials, and with visits to significant cultural sites.

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