On Wednesday, November 6, 2013, a special seminar titled “Changing Dynamics of Indonesia's Foreign Policy” with special speaker Dr. Rizal Sukma was held on Kinugasa Campus, co-hosted by the Graduate School of International Relations and the R-GIRO research program, "Towards New Peace Studies."

Dr. Rizal Sukma is Executive Director at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta. He has worked extensively on Southeast Asia, Security Issues, ASEAN, Indonesia Defence and Foreign Policy, Military Reform, Islam and Politics, and Domestic Political Changes in Indonesia. He was named one of 100 Global Thinkers 2009 by Foreign Policy magazine (US). He is also the first Indonesian to receive the Nakasone Award, which he did in July 2005.

Dr Sukma highlights how has Indonesian Foreign Policy has developed, its continuity and changes. Most importantly, Dr. Sukma elaborated why Jakarta places ASEAN as a corner stone of its foreign policy and how Indonesia emphasizes the importance of its strategic partnership with major powers such as Japan, South Korea, and the US.

More than 30 participants from various universities in Kyoto filled the room. Participants listened attentively to Dr.Sakuma’s first-hand information, asked questions one after another, and enjoyed the lively discussions.