CAUSINDY endeavours to not only organise engaging annual conferences, but also act as a catalyst for change in the Australia-Indonesia space.
Delegates are encouraged to make life-long connections with peers and mentors, and use the opportunity to develop concepts that shape a better and more responsible bilateral relationship for the future.
As part of the CAUSINDY Review, delegates draw upon their skills to tackle from within the topics that matter in the bilateral relationship, and by doing so cultivate stronger ties across a range of sectors.
Delegates were grouped into project teams on day one, and over the course of the conference were tasked with brainstorming a solution to a particular challenge relating to sustainable tourism.
They were guided through this process by one of a group of experienced mentors, which included Indonesia Institute President and former footballer Robbie Gaspar, who shared advice for how attendees could maximise the value of their attendance at the conference.
“Stay present, ask questions, take notes,” he said. “You’re not future leaders – you’re current leaders in your field.”
The line-up was completed by skills advisor Clarice Campbell, higher education consultant Elena Williams, development sector expert Gilang Ahmad Fauzi and Deputy Director of Australia Awards in Indonesia Wahyu Kusumaningtias.
Delegate projects
On the final morning, delegates pitched the following innovative ideas:
1. An Instagram platform to showcase sustainable travel options
The Badaroo platform aims to target young travellers in Indonesia – such as visiting ACICIS students – who seek fun, immersive experiences that moves them away from mass tourism destinations.
“Over time, we aim to build a community of like-minded travellers and experience seekers,” said Australian delegate Fiona Bettesworth.
2. A clothing label that uses indigenous designs and artists from both countries
Ashmore Attire, named after the closest point of Australian territory to Indonesia, was pitched as having the following business model: identify artists, obtain business partnerships, decide on sustainable materials, engage in marketing and sales, achieve sustainable production.
The label intends to use a made-to-order model that prioritises pre-sales in order to minimise its impacts on the environment.
3. An education program for tourism operators
After identifying the tourism problems faced by locals in Enggros Village in Jayapura, where the development of facilities progresses slowly, the next group pitched Wanyam Jayapura, an eight-month training opportunity to upskill local tourism operators in sustainable tourism to help them better promote their businesses.
“The course will include a range of models that cover sustainable tourism, business development and marketing,” said Australian delegate Taylor Bonin.
4. A training development program for Wae Lolos Village tourism operators
The next group proposed a training development program to improve the implementation of tourism villages in Labuan Bajo, primarily Wae Lolos Village in West Manggarai Regency, the latter of which boasts more than 90 such villages.
The delegate team identified a key next step as being direct consultation with operators to ensure the concept will be adapted to the local cultural and tourism context.
5. A sustainable tourism campaign to foster cultural awareness and respect
The final project aims to change perceptions about the two nations and is inspired by recent coverage of the bad behaviour of Australian tourists in locations such as Bali.
The campaign is designed to formulate customs solutions specific to both locations – rather than a single solution for all contexts – starting in Canggu and Sydney. Instead of having a new platform created, the plan is to work with influencers.
Judges Dr Diane Lee and Pak Budy Resosudarmo were united in praise for delegates’ close understanding of the intersection between tourism and sustainability.
“These projects show a clear recognition that the issues of sustainable tourism start with us,” said Dianne.
Check out our Instagram page to view photo and video coverage of all four days of the conference.