The challenges in using and managing natural resources in Indonesia are immense: ensuring that resource utilisation benefits most people in the country; optimising the rate of exploitation of mineral reserves, bearing in mind the interests of future generations; achieving sustainable forest and maritime exploitation; and much else.
Recent rapid political change (reformasi) and decentralisation may seem to have provided opportunities for a long-term development path that embraces both resource sustainability and equity issues. However, these changes have also generated an environment of political uncertainty, weak law enforcement, increased insecurity of property rights and local conflict. This situation, together with the post-crisis imperative of restoring rapid socio-economic progress, creates an ever more pressing need to address the challenges of proper utilisation and management of natural resources.
The 2004 Indonesia Update and the proceedings volume in the Indonesia Update Series will examine these and related issues from a political, socio-economic and environmental standpoint.
Conference convenor: Budy P. Resosudarmo ANU, budy.resosudarmo@anu.edu.au
The annual Indonesia Update is presented by the Indonesia Project, Economics Division, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies (RSPAS), and the Department of Political and Social Change (RSPAS) at The Australian National University (ANU). Support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and ANU is gratefully acknowledged.
The conference is free of charge.