CSIS at 25<\/p>\n
If public attention is a measurement of importance, one might
\nsay that Indonesia's most venerable think tank is sadly past its
\nprime. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
\nturned a respectable 25 years of age this month with almost no
\nnotice from the public.<\/p>\n
Think tanks everywhere may not draw quite the same attention
\nas other agencies whose activities have a more direct impact on
\npublic life. But CSIS is an institution like no other because of
\nthe contribution it made to the dawning of an intellectual
\nclimate that has helped nourish growth in the post-1965
\nIndonesian economy.<\/p>\n
To appreciate the current position of CSIS, it is useful to go
\nback to the late 1950s and early 1960s, during the height of the
\nCold War and the build-up to the Communist coup of 1965. During
\nthose dark days, with the influence of the Indonesian Communist
\nParty practically unchallenged and communist doctrine pervading
\nalmost every segment of public life, intellectuals who refused to
\nadhere to officially endorsed ideologies and policy lines were
\neither imprisoned or forced to become non-persons.<\/p>\n
During those days two separate groups of young Indonesian
\ngraduate students and scholars -- one at home, the other abroad
\n-- took it upon themselves to stay in touch. The dialog between
\nthem gave birth to the idea of forming an infrastructure for
\ndeveloping policy concepts that would be suitable for the new
\nIndonesia that they knew would emerge.<\/p>\n
Thus the idea of CSIS was born. The idea became reality on
\nSept. 1, 1971, with the support of the late generals Ali Moertopo
\nand Soedjono Hoemardani, both of whom were personal assistants to
\nPresident Soeharto at the time. The positions of Ali Moertopo and
\nSoedjono Hoemardani gave CSIS the initial leverage it needed to
\ngrow and develop, though some questioned the organization's
\nindependence due to the generals' close links to the center of
\npower.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five years later the doubts have been erased. CSIS has
\ngrown into a truly independent and professional think tank, and
\ncontinues to contribute to an active and healthy intellectual
\nclimate in this country.<\/p>\n
But does CSIS still serve the purpose for which it was set up?
\nThe answer is yes, more than ever. Major changes are rapidly
\ntaking place in Indonesia and around the world. New technologies
\nhave closed the distances between countries and new concepts must
\nbe anticipated and dealt with. The thoughts and ideas of every
\nnation's best intellectuals are called upon to cope with this
\ntide of change.<\/p>\n
Happily, this fact appears to be appreciated in Indonesia.
\nOther think tanks have since been created, stimulating discussion
\nabout issues of public and national interest, while intellectuals
\ncontinue to offer valuable thoughts and concepts. In honor of the
\nCSIS milestone, we hope that the present climate of open
\nintellectual discussion will be maintained so that all may
\nbenefit and that we as a nation will not be left behind.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/csis-at-25-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}