CSIS helps reduce regional tension
JAKARTA (JP): With 25 years of academic achievement under its belt, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has emerged into an instrument which helps promote peace and stability in the region.
"It plays an important role regionally in helping to reduce misunderstandings between other countries and Indonesia," British academic Michael Leifer replied when asked to comment on the role of CSIS in Indonesia.
He pointed out that through the years CSIS has helped promote a cooperative process in its work.
"Other elites in other countries have come to depend on it in a way that is useful for Indonesia," said the professor of international relations at the London School of Economics.
"So in a essence it has a very patriotic role," he added.
Formed in 1971, the Jakarta-based think tank has emerged as one of the most credible ones in Southeast Asia. It also cooperates with formal government initiatives in a "two-track" approach of regional cooperation.
Leifer was one of the many prominent academics attending the highlight of the CSIS silver anniversary celebrations.
On Wednesday an international seminar was held on "One Southeast Asia in a New Regional and International Setting".
In the evening a reception was held with an address by Professor Robert A. Scalapino. At the reception, attended by over 1,000 guests, CSIS presented distinguished fellow awards to 14 academics and individuals.
The Indonesian recipients were economist Mohammad Sadli, former Indonesian foreign minister Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, military analyst Hasnan Habib, ambassador-at-large Hasyim Djalal, and academic Juwono Sudarsono.
Other recipients included Scalapino, Leifer, Professor Caroline Hernandez from the Philippines, Malaysian Noordin Sopiee and Singaporean Lau Teik Soon.
Indonesian Abdurrahman Wahid also received a distinction for scholarly discourse on social, cultural and developmental issues, while G. Benson received one for his work in promoting Indonesia- U.S. relations.
Wednesday's seminar was followed up yesterday by a workshop.
Leifer pointed out after the workshop that apart from providing much-needed expertise to the government and the private sector, CSIS has also established a strong regional reputation.
"It really has been an instrument for cooperative security and it has become quite essential," he said.
Sociologist Melly G. Tan of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) believes think tanks like CSIS play an important role in the nation's development.
Apart from developing human resources, it functions as a place to discuss society's problems.
"If you don't have these institutions where people can talk openly about the problems that are faced by the country, then where is the forum?" she told The Jakarta Post.
"So an institution like CSIS is a place where people exchange ideas not only on an abstract level but definitely also with the purpose of promoting the welfare of the country, promoting the development of human resources," she explained.
Bantarto Bandoro of the CSIS department of international affairs said one of the strengths of the center is its ability to freely pursue various ideas.
"The strength is in the spirit of academic freedom," he told the Post, adding that "we always try to be sensitive to developments outside the center."
Looking ahead he said he would like to see CSIS produce even better work. He expressed a hope the center would stimulate other researchers in their work by publishing it in the center's journals. (mds)