The nexus between employment, social participation and reform, poverty and inequality is a major area of social and economic life and of public policy. Trends in poverty and inequality are heavily dependent on labour market opportunities, and on social policies and social spending, especially in education and health. Job creation, education and health, and direct policies to improve equity and overcome poverty are critical areas of economic and social policy, and the subject of intense debate in contemporary Indonesia. The 2010 Indonesia Update conference aims to provide a research-based assessment, accessible to a general audience, of how Indonesia has travelled in regard to social policies over the past decade, given the ambitious goals the government has set for itself, especially under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). The conference papers will also identify the challenges and possible new directions for equity and poverty alleviation policy in SBY’s second term, in the broader context of challenges and achievements in neighbouring Asian countries.

Both academics and policy makers from Indonesia, Australia and elsewhere will contribute to the conference. Speakers will include established and early-career staff and graduates from Australian, Indonesian and other universities, staff of international agencies, NGOs and research institutions, and government and aid officials.
Conference convenors

Chris Manning, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific; chris.manning@anu.edu.au
Sudarno Sumarto, SMERU Research Institute, Jakarta; ssumarto@smeru.or.id

The annual Indonesia Update is presented by the Indonesia Project, Arndt’Corden Division of Economics, and the Department of Political and Social Change in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University (ANU). Support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the ANU is gratefully acknowledged.