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Indonesian Heritage Society
Evening Lecture Series
29 January – 5 March 2013

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The Evening Lecture Committee invites you to put the dates for the next series of lectures into your diaries now to make sure you don’t miss any. We look forward to seeing you at Erasmus Huis in Kuningan for these great lectures. The lectures run from 7:00 pm to 8:30pm. For more information, email lectures@heritagejkt.org. An entrance donation of Rp 30,000 is requested.

INDONESIA: Balancing Biodiversity, Natural Heritage and Economic Development         

Tuesday January 29 - Dr Lida Pet-Soede

Two-thirds of Indonesia’s territory is ocean.  The country accounts for over 17% of the world’s coral reef area and hosts more than 600 species of hard coral. It boasts 37% of the world’s marine species and 30% of its mangrove forests. Papua, Kalimantan and Sumatra hold extensive tropical forests. In contrast to this natural wealth, as at 2011, over 32 million Indonesians lived below the poverty line. 

In its pursuit of economic development Indonesia has compromised its environment, mainly through the aggressive extraction of natural resources, infrastructure development, and conversion of land to agricultural plantations.  Nevertheless, it has pledged that by 2020 it will have cut CO2 emissions by 26% (if with assistance from development partners, by 41%) while maintaining economic growth at 7% and preventing biodiversity loss.

Development opportunities abound but law enforcement is uneven; meeting the 2020 goals will be a challenge.  Dr. Lida Pet-Soede, leader of WWFs Coral Triangle Global Initiative, will review progress made over the last decade during WWF Indonesia’s partnership with government, communities, and private sector, and look at prospects for the future.

WELCOME RECEPTION AT 6 P.M.  PLEASE JOIN US 

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: IBEKA

Tuesday February 5 - Tri Mumpuni

Tri Mumpuni has been building micro hydroelectric power plants in Indonesian villages on and off the grid, bringing light to some of the most isolated spots in the archipelago. She’s doing this through The People Centered Economic and Business Institute (IBEKA), established in 1992 with the mission of bringing sustainable development to rural areas in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.  Many of its most successful programs have involved renewable energy, important as the provision of electricity was identified early on a fundamental driver of development. Among its landmark projects is the Cicemet – Micro Hydropower Plant in Mount Halimun – Salak National Park.  The plant went into operation in 1997 and is still going strong.

Tri Mumpuni will talk to us about how this project and IBEKA’s many others in Indonesia rose from the social considerations forming the basis of their work. In different regions needs vary. IBEKA’s work has included environmental conservation, empowerment of women and education, post-harvest processing, and organic farming. Emphasis, however, remains on rural electrification based on renewable energy since that provides the tools enabling the region to help itself. 

*Tuesday, February 12 - no lecture
  

HISTORY UNDER INDONESIA’S NEW ORDER: The Making of the Lubang Buaya Narrative

Dr. Yosef Djakababa, the Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies-Indonesia, will examine the emergence of the New Order’s official narrative of the Lubang Buaya killings, focusing above all on the origins of this story. Despite the unclear nature of the event which for years has sparked controversy among both foreign and domestic scholars, several fundamental facts are certain. The killings of the top Indonesian generals at Lubang Buaya on October 1 1965 triggered a process that led to President Sukarno’s downfall, to the killing of 500,000 or more alleged communist supporters, and to the emergence of General Suharto’s New Order military regime that held power for the next thirty-two years.

The lecture is based on research using trials, films, monuments and commemorations. The regime instilled the deeply held popular belief that the killings were instigated by the Thirtieth September Movement and its creator, the PKI. The creation of the official narrative of the coup attempt was first and fundamentally an instrument for fostering and maintaining regime legitimacy. Dr. Yosef will also highlight the recent KOMNAS HAM report and recommendation to further investigate the gross human rights violations that occurred as a result of these killings.

THE NEW FRONTIER: Building a Collection of South East Asian Art

There has been explosive growth in the art world over the past ten years, especially in Asian art. The expanding economies of China, Indonesia and elsewhere have fueled this growth with the rise of newly affluent local collectors, as well as growing interest from foreigners. The demand for art, and the corresponding rapid rise in prices, has also encouraged a strong interactive community of artists, dealers, curators and collectors.  This is particularly true in Indonesia, especially given the influence of the internet and the lack of ‘Western-style’ art trading infrastructure.

Deborah Iskandar, former managing director of Sotheby and Christies, is often asked how to start collecting and how to navigate the market.  Is it better to buy from auctions, dealers, collectors, or the artist directly? What factors should we consider and what are the pitfalls?  Deborah will answer these questions and walk us through her 20 plus years of experiences in the art world as a collector, gallery owner and auction house professional. Her journey has been remarkable and exciting; she is happy to share it. 

DELIGHTS OF TREKKING IN INDONESIA: Impressions of an Ageing Mountaineer

“To sit atop a mountain is an extraordinary, even spiritual, experience when amongst relics of the Hindu and Buddhist periods or on a mountain that locals treat with great reverence. As the sun sets distant peaks appear above the orange-red clouds. But the next morning a different scene emerges. Humanity below comes alive, cooking their first meal of the day. The clouds rise and everything is obliterated. Then, we descend to the reality of life again.”

Nick has trekked throughout the length and breadth of Indonesia. An Australian national, he has lived in Indonesia on and off for about 16 years since 1972. Nick will present, briefly, the science behind the ‘Rim of Fire’ and Indonesia’s explosive geology. Then he will discuss the challenges, delights and trepidations of mountain climbing illustrated with photos that he and colleagues have accumulated.  He will conclude with some thoughts on the future of trekking in Indonesia, including suggestions for becoming involved. 

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Last updated January 18, 2013

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