Social scientists gather<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Social scientists from universities across
\nIndonesia start a five-day congress and series of seminars in
\nMedan, North Sumatra today to draft recommendations for fellow
\nprofessionals on how to anticipate tougher future challenges.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto is expected to open both the seminars and
\nthe seventh congress held by the Indonesian Association for
\nSocial Sciences Development.<\/p>\n
Association chairman Alwi Dahlan said recently the week-long
\ngathering would come up with suggestions as to what Indonesian
\nprofessionals should do to cope with the onset of free trade
\nwithin the ASEAN Free Trade Area in 2003.<\/p>\n
Alwi said the year 2003 would serve as the prelude to stiffer
\ncompetition with advanced countries in 2020, when the Asia-
\nPacific area becomes a free trade area.<\/p>\n
The seminars will feature speakers from various professions,
\nincluding businessmen, bureaucrats, military officers and
\npoliticians.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, Minister of Research and
\nTechnology B.J. Habibie, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi
\nTaher and Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita are also expected to speak.<\/p>\n
The national congress, held every five years, will elect the
\nassociation's leadership board for 1997 to 2002.<\/p>\n
During the opening ceremony, Soeharto will give awards to the
\ncountry's best social scientists. A committee official said
\nyesterday that outstanding anthropologist Koentjaraningrat was
\namong the award nominees.<\/p>\n
Renowned sociologist Selo Sumardjan was the first to receive
\nan award in the fifth five-yearly congress in 1987 from then
\nMinister\/State Secretary Sudharmono on behalf of the President in
\nUjungpandang.<\/p>\n
Soeharto presented the awards to historian Sartono Kartodirdjo
\nand sociologist Soedjatmoko at the sixth congress in Yogyakarta.
\n(amd)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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