Global Engagement Office (GEO) FISIPOL UGM in cooperation with the Perth USAsia Centre of the University of Western Australia held a seminar and discussion session along with the launching of ‘Expanding Horizons: Indonesia’s Regional Engagement in The Indo-Pacific Era’ book, which was written by Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Dr. M. Faris Al-Fadhat, Lecturer at the Department of International Relations Universitas Muhamadiyah Yogyakarta and Dr. Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti, Lecturer at the Department of International Relations Universitas Gadjah Mada and Mr. Kyle Springer, Researcher at the Perth USAsia Centre. This seminar and discussion were guided by Dian Fatmawati, Lecturer at the Department of Social Development and Welfare and was held in the Eastern Seminar Room of FISIPOL UGM. This discussion was also attended by the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono and the Dean of FISIPOL UGM, Dr. Erwan Agus Purwanto. Both presented their opening speeches during the event.
In his opening speech, Prof. Panut conveyed his appreciation and felicitations to the four writers that has successfully published their book. Furthermore, he also stated that writing a book is not an easy task, as it requires those who write to research in order to find an accurate set of data.
“This book explains regarding the new concept of regional space in Asia. It is highly important to broaden our knowledge regarding space in Asia, due to the existence of the new economic geography in Asia and matters that connect between states in Asia,’ as stated by Dr. Jeffrey.
Dr. M. Faris Al-Fadhat, in his chapter, which is entitled Regional Value Chains and The Internationalization of Indonesian Business, explained regarding the international expansion of companies in Indonesia and the shift of course in Indonesian business in the last two decades.
“Even though geographically Indonesia and Australia are not really far and are relatively accessible, yet in the context of Political Economy, both have exceptionally different standards,” as explained by Dr. Poppy.
As a closing, Kyle Springer explained the chapter that he wrote. He explained regarding the lost economical relationship between Indonesia and Australia. Both Indonesia and Australia have low volume of bilateral trade. Interestingly, Kyle provided his solutions on the issue, in which Indonesia should take the regional approach in terms of economic involvement and Indonesia should take the initiative in the region in terms of the development of new infrastructures.