Colonialism Beneath Protectionism: The Trade Disputes Between Indonesia and the European Union
Author: Daniel Situmeang Since the mid-20th century, many developing countries have been freed from the shackles of European colonial rule. Indonesia itself has been recognized as an independent state by the Netherlands since 1949. However, nearly eight decades after that event, the shadow of colonialism still haunts in the form of European Union (EU) trade […]
Unveiling Power Politics Behind Najib’s “Red-Carpet” Legal Treatment
Author: Aldi Haydar Mulia Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash In Malaysia, another twist to the tale of the convicted ex-Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has developed yet again. The Court of Appeal ruled that Najib’s house arrest bid should be heard in the High Court, which was previously dismissed in July 2024 (Bedi, 2025). The […]
Forgotten: ASEAN’s Vision on Disaster Management
It was merely three months ago when Indonesians headed to the polls to elect their municipal leaders in the 2024 local elections. As many as 207 million eligible voters were expected to vote in 37 provinces, 415 regencies and 93 cities (Yuniarto, 2024). Yet, millions of voters were barred from exercising their democratic right due […]
The Getaway Car Presidency: Prabowo, Power, and the Road to Nowhere
Drivin’ the getaway car We were flyin’, but we’d never get far Taylor Swift’s Getaway Car is a song about high-speed betrayals, thrilling escapes, and the eventual realization that running from one mess often leads to another. It’s a song of choices that feels exhilarating at first—until you realize the road leads to nowhere. If there’s a […]
ASEAN Studies Center – Japan Foundation Essay Competition
Background The Indo-Pacific region faces a complex and evolving landscape of strategic, economic, and security challenges. While Japan and ASEAN have maintained a longstanding partnership characterized by cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, security, and cultural exchange, the current geopolitical climate necessitates a renewed focus on collaborative efforts. This need is amplified by […]
“Mapping the Critical Role of ACWC, CSOs, and Academia” and “ASEAN Post-2025 Vision Consultation”
A seminar titled “Mapping the Critical Role of ACWC, CSOs, and Academia” was held on November 1, 2024, at The Manohara Hotel Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This landmark event provided a significant platform for dialogue on collaborative strategies to advance the protection of women and children in Southeast Asia. Organized with the generous support of the Netherlands […]
Policy Brief Competition
Top 3 Policy Briefs First Place – “Collaborating Youth Power for Child and Women Protection from Online Gambling Risks in ASEAN Countries”, by Muh. Rifki Ramadhan, Bagas Febi Cahyono, and Muhammad Rifki Nur Aprialdi. Second Place – “Towards a Resilient Marawi: Policy Recommendations for Inclusive Recovery and Sustainable Development Post the 2017 Marawi Crisis”, by […]
Public Lecture on “Navigating Contemporary Challenges: Indonesian Diplomacy in a Chanching Global Changes”
On September 12, 2024, the ASEAN Studies Center of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia held a public lecture entitled “Navigating Contemporary Challenges: Indonesian Diplomacy in a Changing Global Landscape,” with speaker Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, S.IP., MA, Director of the Center for Policy Strategy for the […]
ASEAN Studies Center welcomed a visitation from Prof. Kimikazu Shigemasa from Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan
ASEAN Studies Center welcomed a visitation from Prof. Kimikazu Shigemasa from Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan on 11-12 September 2024. The discussions during the visit revolved around significant topics, including developments in the South China Sea, relations between Japan and Indonesia, ASEAN dynamics, and opportunities for collaboration between the two universities. On the second day, Professor […]
Partnership Policy Review Kick Off – “Strengthening the ASEAN Charter: Review of Regional Mechanisms and Policy Recommendations”
In the last few decades, ASEAN has experienced a shift from a state-oriented policy to a people-oriented one. This has become momentum for strengthening the economic, political-security, and socio-cultural pillars. To generate a broader measure of this issue, the ASEAN Studies Center and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia are hosting […]