CSIS helps reduce regional tension<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With 25 years of academic achievement under its
\nbelt, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
\nhas emerged into an instrument which helps promote peace and
\nstability in the region.<\/p>\n
\"It plays an important role regionally in helping to reduce
\nmisunderstandings between other countries and Indonesia,\" British
\nacademic Michael Leifer replied when asked to comment on the role
\nof CSIS in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that through the years CSIS has helped promote
\na cooperative process in its work.<\/p>\n
\"Other elites in other countries have come to depend on it in
\na way that is useful for Indonesia,\" said the professor of
\ninternational relations at the London School of Economics.<\/p>\n
\"So in a essence it has a very patriotic role,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Formed in 1971, the Jakarta-based think tank has emerged as
\none of the most credible ones in Southeast Asia. It also
\ncooperates with formal government initiatives in a \"two-track\"
\napproach of regional cooperation.<\/p>\n
Leifer was one of the many prominent academics attending the
\nhighlight of the CSIS silver anniversary celebrations.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday an international seminar was held on \"One
\nSoutheast Asia in a New Regional and International Setting\".<\/p>\n
In the evening a reception was held with an address by
\nProfessor Robert A. Scalapino. At the reception, attended by over
\n1,000 guests, CSIS presented distinguished fellow awards to 14
\nacademics and individuals.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian recipients were economist Mohammad Sadli,
\nformer Indonesian foreign minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja,
\nmilitary analyst Hasnan Habib, ambassador-at-large Hasyim Djalal,
\nand academic Juwono Sudarsono.<\/p>\n
Other recipients included Scalapino, Leifer, Professor
\nCaroline Hernandez from the Philippines, Malaysian Noordin Sopiee
\nand Singaporean Lau Teik Soon.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Abdurrahman Wahid also received a distinction for
\nscholarly discourse on social, cultural and developmental issues,
\nwhile G. Benson received one for his work in promoting Indonesia-
\nU.S. relations.<\/p>\n
Wednesday's seminar was followed up yesterday by a workshop.<\/p>\n
Leifer pointed out after the workshop that apart from
\nproviding much-needed expertise to the government and the private
\nsector, CSIS has also established a strong regional reputation.<\/p>\n
\"It really has been an instrument for cooperative security and
\nit has become quite essential,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sociologist Melly G. Tan of the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences (LIPI) believes think tanks like CSIS play an important
\nrole in the nation's development.<\/p>\n
Apart from developing human resources, it functions as a place
\nto discuss society's problems.<\/p>\n
\"If you don't have these institutions where people can talk
\nopenly about the problems that are faced by the country, then
\nwhere is the forum?\" she told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"So an institution like CSIS is a place where people exchange
\nideas not only on an abstract level but definitely also with the
\npurpose of promoting the welfare of the country, promoting the
\ndevelopment of human resources,\" she explained.<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro of the CSIS department of international
\naffairs said one of the strengths of the center is its ability to
\nfreely pursue various ideas.<\/p>\n
\"The strength is in the spirit of academic freedom,\" he told
\nthe Post, adding that \"we always try to be sensitive to
\ndevelopments outside the center.\"<\/p>\n
Looking ahead he said he would like to see CSIS produce even
\nbetter work. He expressed a hope the center would stimulate other
\nresearchers in their work by publishing it in the center's
\njournals. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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