According
to a new survey of
Australian and Indonesian perceptions, Indonesians feel they
understand Australia quite well, while few Australians feel they have good
knowledge about Indonesia.The recent survey by research firm EY Sweeney on
behalf of the Australia-Indonesia
Center (AIC) shows 74 percent of Indonesian respondents feel
they have a good or moderate understanding of Australia. Additionally, 87
percent feel favourable towards Australia.
In
contrast, only 53 percent of Australian respondents feel they have a good or
moderate knowledge about Indonesia. Only 43 percent of Australians feel
favourable towards Indonesia.
The AIC
noted the survey results point to an attitude divide between Australians and
Indonesians. This gap needs to be bridged if the two countries are to achieve
the improvement in the relationship they need to progress together.
However,
it’s equally important for us to think about the gap between what Australians
and Indonesians reportedly perceive and the realities on the ground.
How Indonesians view Australia
The
survey results paint Indonesians as open-minded and warm towards Australia.
Nearly 90 percent of Indonesian respondents feel favourable towards Australia,
74 percent claim to have good or moderate knowledge about Australia. And 65
percent still feel they need to be more knowledgeable about Australia.
But
examined further, the last response still ranked second-lowest among 17
statements surveyed to measure how Indonesians perceive the relationship with
Australia. At the top of Indonesians' minds are the questions of how the
Australian government can facilitate Indonesians studying (88 percent) and
working (87 percent) in Australia.
Australia
is very attractive for Indonesians pursuing higher education and jobs abroad.
Indonesians recognize Australia as a Western developed economy that’s closest
to them on the map.
Indonesians'
interest in taking holidays, conducting business and getting an education in
Australia shows a growing desire for increased mobility to Australia. But this
does not necessarily mean that most Indonesians are eager to learn about
Australia comprehensively. In fact, the report shows that Australian history,
culture and politics ranked as the least interesting aspects for Indonesians to
learn about Australia.
Perhaps,
the media are partly to blame. Despite its close proximity, Indonesian media do
not treat Australia as a priority for news coverage. The latest Australian
election was reported only once a week, whereas the
United States election received daily
coverage in Indonesian media.
Indonesians'
perception of their knowledge about Australia and their interest in knowing
more about Australia also do not match the realities of Indonesia’s higher
education sector. Dedicated research centers for Australian studies are few and
far between. Professors with expertise and background in this area of interest
are also quite hard to find.
Indonesian
universities often have resource centers for foreign studies. Universitas
Gadjah Mada, for example, has research centers for German, Japanese and
European studies, but doesn’t have a center for Australian studies.
Australian
studies can only be found in Indonesian universities through a specific course
on Australian politics or foreign policy. It is taught at only 63 out of 4,300 higher education institutions in
the country. Lecturers also face problems in delivering these courses, as most
of the materials are at times irrelevant or out of date.
As the
relationship between the countries often faces rough patches, knowledge on
these aspects is very useful to help Indonesians understand the political,
social and cultural context of Australian government policymaking.
How Australians view Indonesia
On the
Australian side, the survey shows Australians have negative attitudes towards
Indonesia. This not a real surprise as in the past few years many Australian
universities have dropped Asian language programs, particularly Indonesian. The recent
teaching staff cuts in Indonesian studies at the Australian National University may
also exacerbate the decrease in interest in Indonesia.
Classical
stereotyping remains strong as most Australians think Indonesia is religious.
This does not mean the finding is untrue, but it does not provide a complete
picture of Indonesia.
Australians'
strong interest in increasing trade with Indonesia reflects an awareness of
Indonesia’s economic prospects. But only 28 percent of them agree that improved
media coverage is important to help Australians understand Indonesia better.
This
means existing stereotypes will prevail and Australians associations with
Indonesia may continue to be limited to boat people, executions, the live
cattle trade and terrorism.
Yet the
survey finding on Australians' level of interest in Indonesia should not be
overgeneralized. There are pockets of Australia that are showing deep interest
in understanding Indonesia better. The Australian government’s New Colombo Plan, for example, has
contributed to growing interest among young Australians in visiting and
studying in Indonesia.
Moving forward
The AIC
report aims to spur a debate about ways to improve awareness and understanding.
The finding that Indonesians are eager to learn more about Australia should be
seen as an opportunity for Indonesia to improve Australian studies in the
country.
To shape
better relations, interest in Australia should go beyond “holiday destinations,
jobs and university degrees.”
Australia
should also find ways to learn more about Indonesia. The existing interests of
Australians in Indonesian culture, history and economy are good starting points
to improve the relationship.
Australians
should also move away from rigid stereotypes of Indonesia. This will not be
easy if Australian media continue to focus on negative and sensationalist
issues as headline news about Indonesia.
Hangga
Fathana is a lecturer in international relations at Universitas Islam
Indonesia.
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