Media Release

1 December 2008

2008 Policy Research Forum
Leading Australian and Indonesia Minds Working Together to Improve Governance

Research into coffee farming, Islamic microfinance and palm oil plantations are all in the spotlight as leading academics from Australia and Indonesia join forces on research programs funded through a joint A$5.8 million program under the Australia Indonesia Partnership.

Eighteen of the most prominent researchers from both countries are today presenting their findings on a range of topical governance issues at the second Australia Indonesia Policy Research Forum in Jakarta.

Opening the forum alongside Director General Fasli Jalal, Indonesian Ministry of Education, Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer said leading academics in Australia and Indonesia are working together more closely than ever before to address priority governance issues in Indonesia.

“This program brings together the best intellects from both nations. This year’s research projects are expected to provide a boost for policy development and offer new insights into pressing governance concerns in Indonesia,” Mr Farmer said.

The Forum is the key annual event for the Australia Indonesia Governance Research Partnership.

The Partnership provides grants for quality research on governance issues, promotes collaboration between academics in the two countries, and builds local research capacity – particularly among young academics.

The nine new research projects being presented at the Forum cover a wide range of issues with findings including:

• Coffee marketed as “organic” sells for higher prices, but does not increase farmers’ incomes
• Islamic microfinance is an increasingly important source of credit for small and medium enterprises, but the industry has high levels of default and bankruptcy
• Local government in Riau shows how to protect smallholders during expansion of oil palm plantations

The scholars from Australia and Indonesia presenting their research at today’s Forum include Professor Bustanul Arifin, Dr Frank Jotzo, Professor Kacung Marijan, Dr John McCarthy, Professor Hasbullah Thabrany, Dr Hetifah Syaifudian, Dr Raymond Atje, Dr Liz Morrell, Professor Danang Parikesit and Dr LyFie Sugianto.

To find out more about the research, visit: www.aigrp.anu.edu.au

Media Inquiries:
Mia Salim (Public Affairs, AusAID) 0812 107 0237