But an innovative and well targeted Australian
education program in environmental law is helping to educate Indonesian judges, lawyers
and police officers so that the concept of a sustainable future, balancing economic and
environmental concerns, can move a little closer to reality.
In a unique educational joint venture between UniSA’s School of International
Business, the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Environmental Law and the
South Australian consulting firm, Sagric International, hundreds of Indonesia’s legal
officials are getting the chance to make a difference to their world.
The IASTP II Environmental Law and Enforcement Training Program, sponsored by AUSAID,
provides training to Indonesian judges and lawyers in environmental law, both through
short courses in Indonesia and longer courses in Australia.
Coordinator of the program at UniSA, Professor Rob Fowler, says it
is especially significant in that it is taking place at a time when the search for
democratic government is being pursued enthusiastically in Indonesia.
"The concept of an independent judiciary is integral to good governance in
democracies, and this training helps to reinforce understandings about the
responsibilities which must be assumed by judges and lawyers to achieve such a goal,"
Professor Fowler said.
"This scheme also helps those people responsible for making legal decisions in
their own country to understand more clearly how small changes in law enforcement and
judgements can benefit the long term viability of communities in some of the most
environmentally stressed regions of the world.
"The program bases some of its content on International Law but also takes a
comparative approach, looking at the areas of Australian and Indonesian Environmental Law
that correlate such as criminal liability and enforcement.
"Our goal is to give those involved in the program access to some of our top legal
minds in an educational setting that promotes discussion, evaluation and an appreciation
of the notion of good governance.
"At the end of their course they develop action plans for issues in their own
particular region which may range from law reform proposals to specific measures to
establish improved environmental outcomes in a particular legal situation at home."
This month the first group of "students" arrived in South Australia for a
six-week study stint after spending six weeks in Sydney.
The SA-based study sessions include course work which is classroom based, visits to the
Environment Court and other State courts, field trips revolving around local environmental
issues and guest lectures from leading environmental legal practitioners in Adelaide,
including Judge Christine Trenorden, Brian Hayes QC, David Cole, Paul Leadbeter, and Mark
Parnell
But the program also extends to Indonesia, where teams of three Australian trainers
work with colleagues from the Indonesian Centre for Environmental Law to conduct six-day
courses in locations across the country. This year will see some 350 people trained in
seven locations, from Kalimantan in Borneo to the island of Lombok in the Eastern region
of Indonesia.
About 45 Indonesians will study in Australia this year as part of the program.
"Those who commit to the full course in Australia, make some very real
sacrifices," Professor Fowler said.
"They must first undergo a three-month preparatory course in Jakarta. The groups
then travel to Sydney before coming Adelaide for the completion of the program.
"For those who live outside Jakarta, they are apart from family and friends for
some six months. Their participation is a measure of their determination to learn and
their dedication to their role in Indonesia as leaders in the community and people who can
spearhead improvement."
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966, 041 8823673 or Professor Fowler
on (08) 8302 0886
