POLITICS, GOVERNANCE, AND SECURITY TO FUTURE OF INDONESIA DEVELOPTMENT

POLITICS, GOVERNANCE AND SECURITY Research in the area of politics, security and governance addresses issues of domestic and international political change, conflict, and cooperation and is comparative and regional in orientation. The study area focuses on: Implications of rapid socio-economic development on political institutions and processes; How political systems and leaders are adapting to and dealing with new pressures and challenges; Domestic and international conflict reduction and resolution; Development of pluralistic governance structures; Impacts of “human security” issues; and Evolution of norms, values, and institutions at the domestic and international level. Within the Asia Pacific, as well as internationally, there is a critical and immediate need for the development of national policy, legislation and institutional capacity building to put in place and carry out comprehensive all-hazards disaster management. Senior Fellow Allen L. Clark’s research focuses on the areas of urban risk assessment and management and environment and natural disasters. For most nations of the Asia Pacific, these areas, while critical, are poorly understood and coordinated so research highlighting the most effective policies and legislation will lead to more effective and comprehensive urban planning and national disaster management programs. Effective democratic governance continues to be one of the greatest challenges of the Asia Pacific region as countries cope with demands of the global economy and pressures from citizens for increased transparency and participation. Senior Fellow Shabbir Cheema's research focuses on civil society engagement in democratic change, cross-border governance for regional actions dealing with climate change and human trafficking, electoral and parliamentary processes to sustain democracy, and civil service reform and resource management to promote economic development. Research, dialogue and institutional partnerships in these areas will contribute to enhancing national and regional capacities to formulate and implement effective policies for sustainable development. Dr. Cheema is also coordinating the multi-year Asia Pacific Governance and Democracy Initiative (AGDI). AGDI contributes to national and regional institutional and leadership capacities by focusing on civil society engagement for democratic change, cross-border governance for regional actions, electoral and parliamentary processes to sustain democracy, transparency and anti-corruption strategies to promote trust in government and civil service reform and resource management to foster economic development. In partnership with the national, regional and global institutions, the AGDI undertakes policy relevant research, organizes dialogues and workshops, documents the emerging regional trends and issues, and undertakes strategic outreach activities at the country level. Christopher McNally’s research focuses on the political economy of China. One of his current projects is a macro-analysis of China's emergent political economy, especially the key dilemmas facing the world as China undergoes a capitalist transition. Specifically, the project applies a political economy perspective to the on-going debate on how China’s rise will impact the global system and holds that China’s international ascent is generating Sino-capitalism – a global capitalist system that differs from Anglo-American capitalism in important respects. Three distinct quandaries are emerging as the world adapts to the ascent of Sino-capitalism: a.) how to sustain international economic governance as economic power shifts; b.) how to manage the geopolitical dimension, in which both systems will vie to govern the global political economy; and c.) how to absorb Sino-capitalism in an ecological system with limited resources and capacity for waste absorption. McNally’s other major project focuses on China’s western development. This project aims to describe and analyze the intent and possible consequences of the People's Republic of China's campaign to “Open Up the West.” Current research intends to explore the implications of the campaign for southwestern China and neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. In particular, research aims to create an impressionistic survey of the effects of the “Open Up the West” campaign, including its effects on real estate development, tourism, the growing “temple economy,” and efforts to step up ecological protection and preservation. A major project in this area includes one by former fellow Sheila A. Smith entitled Shifting Terrain: The Domestic Politics of U.S. Military Presence in Asia Pacific. The study seeks to increase understanding of the relationship between the U.S. forward military presence and local political forces in Japan, Korea and the Philippines. This research involved key local personnel and U.S. diplomatic and military personnel in workshops and consultations. Workshops have been held in Okinawa, Japan and Seoul, Korea, and the final workshop was held in Bohol, Philippines. A Special Report on the project has been published. Smith remains associated with the Center as an adjunct fellow. The Asian International Justice Initiative (AIJI) builds upon four years of collaboration between the East-West Center and the War Crimes Studies Center (University of California, Berkeley) on projects related to human rights. In 2006, AIJI mounted a conference “Lessons Learned from the UN Serious Crimes Trials in East Timor” aimed at promoting regional discussions on international justice issues and reflecting on the experience of five years of the Serious Crimes Process that took place in Dili. This conference had significant implications for the Khmer Rouge Tribunals which are slated to begin in Cambodia in 2007. AIJI’s activities in Cambodia focus on the training of the prosecution and defense counsels of the Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (the UN hybrid tribunal); a film outreach project that is airing on Cambodian prime time TV and being shown in community forums, is designed to help Cambodians better understand the Khmer Rouge trials and fair trial standards that apply in their own justice system. In Indonesia, AIJI conducted a seminar for members of the Indonesian Supreme Court and Appellate Courts engaging them in discussions international experts on issues of mutual concern regarding international justice and human rights. Finally, AIJI is planning the inaugural Summer Law Institute which is slated to be held in the ASEAN region in 2008. The Institute hopes to attract participants from around the world who seek training and expertise in the field of international humanitarian law and its related institutions. The curriculum will focus on providing the expertise and skills to deal with issues of particular significance for Asia. Unlike many programs that provide academic instruction on general principles and doctrines of international humanitarian law, the Summer Institute will be oriented towards actual practice and issues of immediate concern to the region. Faculty will primarily include prosecutors, judges, and defense counsel from international tribunals as well as leading experts from the region. In many instances, the Center in Honolulu works closely with our Washington, DC office on many projects in this study area. http://www.eastwestcenter.org/research/research-program-overview/politics-governance-and-security/