The Asia Society Policy Institute is pleased to host democracy and human rights advocate Ima Abdulrahim for a discussion on how the “global democratic recession” is impacting Indonesia, one of Asia’s largest democracies. Are there parallels between the social and racial tensions, erosion of democratic institutions, and emergent populism and authoritarianism playing out in the West and those underway in Indonesia? How is social media contributing to this democratic decline? And what can be done about it?

This is the third session of the Asia Society Policy Institute's AsiaX speaker series and networking event for Asia policy professionals and young executives. AsiaX is focused on bringing fresh ideas from up-and-coming Asian innovators and experts to the Washington D.C. policy debate. These private events bring together young leaders from across the government, business, and policy communities to discuss emerging trends and issues that are re-shaping Asia and the U.S. role in the region. 

Speaker

Rahimah “Ima” Abdulrahim is the Executive Director of The Habibie Center, one of Indonesia's leading think tanks that focuses on Democracy and Human Rights. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of The Habibie Center, her work includes managing the ASEAN Studies Program, as well as supervising research and advocacy projects on peace policy in Indonesia. Currently she is one of 15 professionals selected as the first batch of Asia Global Fellows at the Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong, and she was selected as a Yale World Fellow in 2015.