CSIS at 30
CSIS at 30
Today, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies
(CSIS), one of Indonesia's oldest and most prominent private
research institutions, marks its 30th anniversary.
While many other think tanks elsewhere in the world may boast
a longer history or more spectacular achievements, even to have
reached the age of 30 for a research institute in Indonesia can
appropriately be said to be an accomplishment of which CSIS can
justly be proud.
Throughout those years, and especially in its later years
after the fall of the New Order regime under former president
Soeharto, CSIS, having been born and nurtured during that period
of Indonesian history, has had to brave waves of misunderstanding
and suspicion. Occasionally, too, it has been a target of
political agitation.
Nevertheless, CSIS has managed to survive and has lately even
been showing signs of growing vigor, as expressed in various
forms, such as the holding of seminars and discussions on current
topics. The fact that young and capable researchers are beginning
to emerge from among its ranks is proof that the process of
regeneration, so important in assuring growth, is taking place.
Recent exhibitions of paintings and other works of art held by
CSIS provide an indication that the institute is widening its
scope of interest to include aspects of culture besides politics
and economics. In the context of the current apparent lack of
interest among officialdom and the public alike for the more
spiritual-emotional aspects of life, this is certainly something
to be grateful for.
Yet, two traditional areas of interest seem to continue to
dominate CSIS's intellectual activities -- foreign policy and
economics. It is in these two fields that CSIS has always
distinguished itself from other research institutes, and while
most other institutes still lack enough capability and capacity
in these areas even today, many CSIS experts enjoy an
international reputation and are acknowledged by the world's most
prestigious institutions of research and higher education.
CSIS's prominence is recognized, especially in the field of
foreign policy, not only because of its historic relations with a
number of large foreign countries, but also, and not least,
because of the trust it enjoys among foreign research
institutions and foreign governments.
Incidentally, herein lies one of the greatest weaknesses of
Indonesian governments. Indonesia has never taken the trouble to
develop strong lobbies with international institutions and
governments, and has relied mostly on contacts made by foreign
ministry and embassy officials, with the result that policy
stands often appear inconsistent or incoherent.
This is where CSIS can be of assistance to the Indonesian
government by acting as a lobbyist, using the good relations that
already exist between CSIS experts and the foreign governments in
question. We owe CSIS something for filling this lobbying gap. In
the meantime the government is well advised to start taking the
development of lobbies seriously.