Friday, 22nd November
The final day of CAUSINDY 2024 provided a fitting conclusion to a conference. The day began with a site visit to Steel Blue, an iconic Australian company, and culminated in an inspiring collaboration session where delegates presented their collaborative projects after 4 days of hard work.
Site Visit: Steel Blue Factory, Malaga
The day kicked off with delegates visiting the Steel Blue work and safety shoe factory in Malaga. Known for its high-quality products and innovative practices, Steel Blue has become synonymous with Australian manufacturing excellence over its 29-year history.
The tour, led by Anza, provided delegates with a behind-the-scenes look at the factory’s operations, from sourcing Indonesian materials that meet strict Australian safety standards to the hands-on production process that churns out approximately 500 pairs of boots daily.
The delegates learnt about Steel Blue’s diverse and collaborative approach through its partnership with PT Osaga Mas Utama, its Indonesian production partner since 1998. Located in Brebes, the facility employs 1,300 staff and produces over one million boots annually. This partnership not only supports regional employment but also invests in skill development and aligns with global sustainability frameworks.
Greg, a founding director of Steel Blue, provided a poignant closing thought during the morning visit:
“We are a great example of what can be done. What you saw was a shoe factory, but for me, it’s not just a shoe factory—it’s a dream come true.”
This sentiment captured the essence of CAUSINDY: turning aspirations into action.
For the delegates, the visit highlighted the tangible connections between Australian companies and their Indonesian counterparts, emphasising the potential for bilateral partnerships to drive economic and social outcomes for the better.
Delegates visit to the Steel Blue work and safety shoe factory
Collaboration Session 4
The final collaboration session saw delegates refining and presenting project ideas developed during the conference. Each initiative demonstrated a deep understanding of shared challenges and innovative approaches to address them.
The first project proposal, AUS-INDOgenous, aimed to connect Indigenous communities from both countries, focusing on knowledge exchange in areas like the blue economy and energy transition. Through seminars and partnerships, this project seeks to amplify Indigenous voices in sustainable development.
Another standout project, Upskilling Early-Career Researchers, created a solution to many of the issues raised throughout the conference by proposing a structured platform to help Indonesian and Australian researchers bridge the gap between academia and industry.
BUDAYA – the Bilateral ‘Yarning’ Conference – highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalised communities. As CAUSINDY 2024 delegate Jack Allen aptly noted,
“We may burn the coal, but we are not at the coalface of this issue.”
This initiative aimed to address these challenges through a participatory conference designed to decolonize research practices and foster actionable outcomes to support Indigenous communities.
And finally, project Kolaborasi: Makan Apel Group aimed to foster a dynamic research ecosystem, linking alumni, researchers, and stakeholders through digital platforms and community events.
Each presentation was met with enthusiastic applause, as the delegates had gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of tackling such challenges and admired their peers’ creativity. They were encouraged to exchange ideas, forge connections, and explore funding opportunities to bring their projects to fruition. The session’s resounding message was clear: collaboration doesn’t end here—it’s just the beginning.
Closing the Conference
The conference closed with heartfelt thanks to the CAUSINDY team, whose tireless efforts made the event possible. Delegates exchanged farewells, social media details, and business cards, ensuring that the connections forged during the conference would endure.
As CAUSINDY 2024 officially came to a close, the atmosphere was one of optimism and unity. Delegates departed with a renewed commitment to foster collaboration and a belief in the transformative power of Australia-Indonesia partnerships.