ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
Salam dari Indonesia Sahabat Cerdik Cendekia Yang Terhormat, Institut Studi Indonesia Amerika (ISIA) telah mengawali kegiatannya di Indonesia sejak awal tahun 2012 yang lalu dengan dukungan dari pemerintah Amerika Serikat, Henry Luce Foundation dan juga Putera Sampoerna Foundation sebagai tuan rumah bagi kegiatan kami di Indonesia. Hingga saat ini (Juli 2013) lebih kurang 39 kegiatan telah kami adakan, baik yang bersifat lokal maupun Internasional, dengan semangat seperti yang dituliskan oleh Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya Sri Mangkunegoro IV dalam karya besarnya Serat Wredhatama, yaitu : Ngelmu iku, Kalakone kanthi laku, Lekase lawan kas, Tegese kas nyantosani, Setya budaya pangekese dur angkara, Ilmu itu diraih dengan cara menghayati dalam setiap perbuatan dan dimulai dengan kemauan, yaitu kemauan untuk membangun kesejahteraan sesama. Teguh membudidaya dan menaklukkan semua angkara. Kegiatan yang kami lakukan meliputi semua jenis pengetahuan, termasuk di dalamnya: Matematika, pertanian, konservasi hutan, film, budaya, bahasa, ekonomi, kebangsaan dll. Beberapa kegiatan dihadiri oleh orang-orang penting, seperti Yang Mulia Duta Besar Amerika Serikat Mr.Scot Marciel dan juga oleh perwakilan Kementerian Pendidikan Amerika Serikat Mr.Clay Pell., Perkembangan jaringan kerja ISIA telah meliputi berbagai universitas, seperti : UI, UGM, Atmajaya, UNS dll, pusat penelitian seperti Kemitraan, SMERU dll, Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat seperti Kehati, Bina Swadaya, Huma, Aman dll. Semua kegiatan kami tidak akan mungkin dapat terlaksana tanpa bantuan rekan-rekan sekalian, oleh karena itu kami mengucapkan terima kasih dan sekaligus juga kami berharap agar dukungan rekan-rekan dapat terus diberikan kepada ISIA untuk menjadi organisasi yang lebih baik dalam melayani hubungan ilmiah antara cerdik cendekia Indonesia dan Amerika Serikat. Salam Persahabatan, ISIA
Testimonial from Field “AIFIS helped make my fieldwork in Indonesia a tremendously fruitful experience. From research visa application to everyday logistics, from academic network building to emotional support, the staffs at AIFIS have been unfailingly patient and professional in assisting me through all these processes. I felt very fortunate to have AIFIS as my home institution away from home” - Taomo Zhou (Cornell University)-
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
Seminar and Workshop “Interfaith Dialogue With Ust. Shamsi Ali” March 28, 2013, Ustadz Shamsi Ali, a native of Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, talked about how Muslims in America deal with multiculturalism and diverse religions, and how they seek unity as American citizens. He specifically discussed ways to promote harmony and counteract negative perceptions about Muslims th created in the wake of the September 11 tragedy. The Ustadz emphasized the importance of strong lines of communication to build familiarity and cement solidarity between Muslims and nonMuslims. He discussed community outreach activities at the Islamic Center Mosque New York, such as his “knock the doors” initiative, aimed at educating the community about Islam and combating misperceptions and suspicion. He also talked about activities he has undertaken with leaders of other faiths—especially Jewish leaders in New York—to promote peace and understanding among religions. [picture of Ust. Shamsi Ali with U.S. Ambassador, Scott Marciel]
“Holistic Approach to Forest Conservation in Indonesia” April 17, 2013, this talk discussed the shocking loss of biodiversity in the past century via a few examples from Indonesia, including the environmentally devastated Ciliwung river. The talk emphasized the importance of biodiversity to humans and prospects for conservation in Indonesia, especially in biodiversity hotspots like Cibodas, Tanjung Putting Barat, Siberut, Gunung Leuser, Giam Siak kecil-Bukit Batu, Wakatobi and Gunung Halimun Salak. The speaker emphasized the need to develop broad collaborations between organizations, universities, governments and businesses. [picture of Prof. Endang Sukara (LIPI), Dali Sadli Mulia (Chevron), Prof. Tom Payne (Univ.Missouri), Dr. Arief Yuwono (Dept. Of Environment), and Agus Priambudi (Halimun Salak National Park)]
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
“Workshop in The Basics of Linguistic Field Research” May 3, 2013, AIFIS, Max Planck Institute and PKBB-Atmajaya did the Workshop in The Basics of Linguistic Field Research. It has been predicted that most of the world’s languages will disappear by the end of this century. As a hotspot of linguistic diversity and language shift, linguists working in Indonesia play a central role in documenting and describing human linguistic diversity. Unfortunately, linguists possessing the appropriate skills to conduct high quality empirical research on language are limited in number. For this reason, it is essential that Indonesian linguists interested in working on local languages (as well as field researchers from other disciplines) be exposed to the skills and resources necessary to successfully carry out basic linguistic fieldwork on understudied languages and safely archive linguistic data. [picture of Prof. Abigail Cohn and Dr.John Bowles]
“New Trends in Indonesian Studies in the U.S.: Opportunities and Challenges” (@america, University of Indonesia and University of Gajah Mada) A vibrant bilateral partnership between the United States and Indonesia depends upon deepening mutual understanding. Although expanding educational and people-to-people exchange programs is an excellent way to build mutual understanding broadly, we should also recognize that the intellectual foundation for deep understanding of Indonesia in the United States is strong programs of Indonesian studies in U.S. universities, and the need of strong programs of American studies in Indonesia as well. Prof. Thomas B. Pepinsky gave his insights on the trends of Indonesian studies in the United States: Opportunities and Challenges. One of his speech took about the area studies that Indonesia – U.S need to improve, not only diciplines but interdisiplinary studies. [picture of Prof. Thomas Pepinsky]
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
Yogyakarta Satellite Office Opening May 17, 2013, the opening of the AIFIS satelite office in Yogyakarta marks the start of official AIFIS activities in Yogyakarta. The event highlighted AIFIS’s institutional goals: to promote mutual understanding and peace through cooperation in research between Americans and Indonesians in the sciences and humanities. The event took place at the CeSSAS building, Gedung PAU UGM Sayap Timur Lt. 1, Jl. Teknika Utara, Barek, Yogyakarta 55281 Indonesia. This office become the second office in Indonesia right after Jakarta office. Now, this office starts to hold events and facilitate the visits of U.S. researchers.
General Lecture and Academic Discussion “A Film Screening with Prof Mark Freeman” (Unika Atmajaya and Universitas Pasundan) With the development of the internet and other media technology, the genre of the documentary film moves toward new frontiers with even greater potential to impact societies by sharing diverse perspectives, ideas, and knowledge. It is important that academia gain a deeper understanding of this genre, especially given the effectiveness of documentary film in presenting difficult or otherwise inaccesible subject matter to the general public in a relevant fashion. Prof Mark Freeman, an expert filmmaker, shared his experiences in making documentary films to the students of film and photography.
Prof. Mark Freeman gave a talk about documentary filmmaking at Universitas Pasundan, Bandung
Prof. Mark Freeman gave a talk about documentary filmmaking at Universitas Atmajaya, Jakarta
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
“Art, Alternative Education, and Community Wellbeing” Various types of approach to deal with psychological problems in education had been developed in Indonesia. Some of approaches used are humanistic therapy, counseling, cognitive, and behavioral which commonly use. However a new approach in dealing with mental problems or thoughts using art therapy begins to flourish in Indonesia. Art therapy commonly used is through the art of music and painting. Music therapy has been widely used by some therapists to inrease capacity of human mind and also to create a certain atmosphere that triggers emotions. It might be a new transformation in teaching style, especially for students with learning difficulties or special need children. In other words, music therapy and painting therapy are alternative forms of language’s representation which can be perceived and interpreted. [picture of Prof. Monty Satiadarma and Ellen Prusinsky]
Visit from US Govt. officer On June 20, 2013, Clay Pell, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education for International and Foreign Language Education visited the AIFIS office, accompanied by representatives from the Cultural Affairs section at the US Embassy and the Library of Congress. AIFIS’s Supervisory Representative, Tim McKinnon gave a short presentation outlining AIFIS’s achievements in its year and a half of existence. This was followed by brief remarks from Prof.Abby Cohn (Cornell University) and Michael Price (Stanford University) outlining how AIFIS has been assisting American scholars in dealing with logistical challenges of conducting research in Indonesia. Mr. Pell thanked AIFIS for its hard work and, remarking on the administration’s foreign policy “pivot” toward Asia, especially Southeast Asia, emphasized that the Department of Education is eager to know how they can help AIFIS grow and flourish. Plans were then discussed for initiating an AIFIS/Fulbright Lecture series, and for ways in which Indonesian books and journals can be made more accessible through digitization, particularly through gaining access to LIPI’s large research archives. Plans were also discussed for a general meeting between AIFIS and USINDO, AMINEF, US Joint Council, the US Embassy, Ford Foundation and other US agencies in Indonesia. AIFIS subsequently received a letter of thanks from the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the US Embassy, stating that they were very impressed with AIFIS’s activities and programs, including the broad networking with diverse organizations throughout the country.
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
Message from the field, Michael Holton Price (Stanford University) For many centuries, the Spice Islands of eastern Indonesia were the only source of nutmeg, cloves, massoi bark, and certain other spices which were of immense value in distant markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the New World. Merchants, soldiers, and administrators from all over the world vied for control of the lucrative trade in these spices. But maritime trade in eastern Indonesia was by no means confined to spices. An essential, though perhaps less glamorous, trade also occurred in food-stuffs, which were needed to feed individuals and villages which specialized in the production of spices and manufactured goods. Rice was imported from Bali and Java, but equally important was starch extracted locally from the sago palm and transported to other parts of eastern Indonesia. Today, sago starch (usually eaten as a boiled "pudding" called papeda) remains the subsistence staple in many parts of Indonesia. Despite sago's historic and contemporary importance, however, little archaeological evidence for its past use has been uncovered, most likely because sago extraction and consumption leaves little material imprint in the archaeological record. For my dissertation field work in eastern Indonesia, I am conducting an ethno archaeological project to (1) understand what drives contemporary subsistence in northern Seram and (2) quantify the material imprint which traditional subsistence activities leave so that archaeologists can better detect and understand prehistoric subsistence in eastern Indonesia. AIFIS has provided indispensable help in connecting me with Indonesian colleagues with similar interests and guiding me through the process of obtaining the necessary research permissions to conduct my research.
Cooperating Institutions and Agencies (as of June 2013):
Indonesian Universities: Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya, Universitas Paramadina, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Universitas Media Nusantara, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Universitas Pasundan, Universitas Siswa Bangsa Internasional (USBI) Indonesia, Institut Pertanian Bogor etc. Indonesian NGOs: Partnership (Kemitraan), HUMA, Kehati, Bina Swadaya, ISSI, Historia, Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun Salak, etc. Indonesian National Research Centers: Indonesian Institute for Science (LIPI), SMERU, Centras, etc. American Organizations in Indonesia: USINDO, @america, Joint Council Usindo
Developing Memorandum of Understanding Now Institut Studi Indonesia Amerika has been developing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with several colleagues or partnerships. Most of the cooperation is in engaging research and education and also Indonesian scientific journal digitalization programs to support LIPI.
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ISIA NEWS July
July 2013, Vol.1, Issue 1
AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR INDONESIAN STUDIES
INSTITUT STUDI INDONESIA AMERIKA (ISIA) c US Office George McT. Kahin Center for Advanced Research on Southeast Asia 640 stewart Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850, UNITED STATES
[email protected]
Indonesia Office Universitas Siswa Bangsa Internasional Mulia Business Park, 2nd Floor, Building A Jl. MT. Haryono Kav.58-60, Jakarta Selatan, INDONESIA Web Site : aifis.org e-mail addresses :
[email protected] [email protected]
2013
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