Ahead of next year’s Indonesian presidential election, what’s in store for a post Jokowi-Indonesia and Australia-Indonesia relations? 

Join Asia Society Australia at RMIT University for a rare opportunity to hear directly from Jakarta’s most recent governor and candidate for next year’s Indonesian presidential elections, Anies Baswedan. Moreover, as this year’s ASEAN chair, Indonesia is positioned to play an ever more influential and leading role in the region in 2023.  

Mr Baswedan will deliver a keynote address, followed by a conversation with Helen Brown of the Australia-Indonesia Centre, where he will draw on his intimate knowledge of Indonesian politics to deliver unique insights on the future of the Australia-Indonesia relationship.  

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of Asia’s leading political figures on what the future holds for one of Australia’s closest and most important regional partners. 

Date: Tuesday, March 7th, 2023

Time: 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Venue: RMIT University, City Campus

This event is open by invitation only and registration is essential. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected] 

Leaders on Asia | The Future of Australia-Indonesia Ties with Anies Baswedan is delivered in partnership with RMIT University, the Asia Trade and Innovation Hub, and the Australia Indonesia Business Council.

About our Speakers 

Anies Baswedan, Former Governor of Jakarta

Anies Rasyid Baswedan served as the Governor of Jakarta from 2017-2022. He is also the Founder of Indonesia Mengajar, Chairman of the Indonesian Governors Association, and the Vice Chairman of the steering committee of C-40 where he is in the leadership along with the Mayor of London and the Governor of Tokyo. He was also the Co-Chair of the Urban-20 Forum as part of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022. 

Before assuming office as governor, Mr. Baswedan served as the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia (2014-2016). For the period of 2007-2014, he was the rector of Paramadina University, a leading private university in Jakarta. He was Indonesia’s youngest university rector when elected in 2007. 

Mr. Baswedan attained a Ph.D in Political Science from Northern Illinois University, an MA in Public Management from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, and a BA in Economics from Gadjah Mada University. During his studies, he was granted numerous scholastic awards including Fulbright Scholarship, William P Cole Scholarship, Gerald Maryanov Fellowship, and JAL Scholarship. 

Helen Brown, Head of Communications and Outreach, The Australia-Indonesia Centre

Helen Brown has more than 20 years’ experience in writing, speaking and analysing complex subjects and issues through several roles including as a multimedia journalist, producer and communications specialist. She is a passionate about Australia’s role as a positive collaborator with Asia.  

Helen lived and worked in Indonesia for four years as a correspondent for the national broadcaster, ABC News, covering social, economic, political and strategic events. This included coverage of the 2014 presidential election. 

She currently leads the communications and outreach team at the Australia-Indonesia Centre, supporting its work in managing multi-disciplinary and bilateral research projects across 11 universities.  

Her time in Asia prompted her to create Bisnis Asia, a company which provides guidance for businesses going into unknown markets.