People-to-People Links: A Building Block for Resilient Neighbours

Good fences make good neighbours. So often misunderstood, this line is from Robert Frost's famous poem Mending Wall. Some take it to mean that having challenging barriers will keep neighbours apart and prevent problems. However, in the poem, the very act of rebuilding the fence together every year is what brings the neighbours closer. By spending time together, talking and repairing the wall, the two characters become better neighbours. 

Australia's future with our Indo-Pacific neighbours is deeply intertwined. We have an enduring interest in the sovereignty, stability, security and prosperity of the region. This stability benefits all who live in the area. Resilience refers not simply to safety or security but to the capacity of a system to recover from changes and shocks in its environment. These shocks can be internal or external. Building national resilience in Australia should not only be seen through the lens of strengthening domestic systems, economic settings, critical infrastructure and other programs. It is also about ensuring we have a resilient neighbourhood.  

The Australian government has a long history of capacity building initiatives across the Indo-Pacific region, with this resilience in mind. Australia delivers the initiatives through aid programs, defence cooperation programs, medical and health projects, academic and professional exchange programs. These diverse aid programs seek to help build stronger communities and more stable governments so that Australia can improve its own economic and security interests, therefore, become more resilient. 

However, this well-intentioned policy approach is not always matched with well-designed practical initiatives and engagement. A lack of country-specific literacy and programs being developed and delivered in an Australian-centric manner causes the poor design. Therefore, we need to build a deeper understanding and literacy of the region within our government policy makers, business leaders and academic institutions (secondary and tertiary). Anyone who understands the region will know that people-to-people solid linkages underpin the key to success. These take time, patience and a well-developed understanding of local drivers and conditions. 

To explore how simple, well-designed programs can succeed, let's look to one of our most significant, most important, diverse and dynamic neighbours – the Republic of Indonesia. 

Indonesia is one of Australia's most important strategic partners, attest Australian politicians of both persuasions. However, this means that there is a contest within Australia's foreign policy priorities and practices. There have recently been some excellent achievements with thefinalisation of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, for which we applaud the Morrison and Widodo governments. However, misperceptions and misunderstandings remain on both sides. 

Looking back a decade, in his historic 2010 speech to the Australian Parliament, former Indonesian President Yudhoyono highlighted the dangers posed by the perceptions that Indonesians and Australians have of one another. He said, "I was taken aback when I learned that in a recent Lowy Institute survey, there are Australians who still see Indonesia as an authoritarian country, as a military dictatorship, as a hotbed of Islamic extremism or even as an expansionist power." The president highlighted a pivotal element to overcoming these barriers is through improved people-to-people linkages. 

There is progress, and I argue we need to continue to strengthen these people-to-people linkages. Below are two small and critical practical models that Australia could follow. 

In 2011, the Australian Department of Defence launched the Indonesia-Australia Defence Alumni Association or IKAHAN (www.ikahan.com). IKAHAN aims to foster relationships across the large, diverse and sometimes misunderstood bilateral defence relationship. The organisation provides a platform to exchange ideas, interact in new ways, build relationships with future leaders on both sides, dispel myths and encourage dialogue between the senior leadership. Notable Australian members include former and current Governors-General of Australia, former senior Australian Defence Force leaders, leading academics and thought leaders. A similarly impressive membership existson the Indonesian side. Senior leadership is essential, and future leadership and IKAHAN boasts a large cohort of junior members. The simple act of establishing a vehicle to promote better understanding and engagement that resonates for both sides have added a depth to the bilateral relationship not previously imagined. 

In 2011 the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association established an exchange program to bring Indonesian animal husbandry students to northern Australia to learn about Australian cattle production systems. The exchange program fosters a greater cross-industry understanding of the unique challenges faced by producers in both countries. The Indonesian students typically spend eight weeks in Australia gaining practical hands-on training working alongside Australian stockmen and women on northern cattle properties. Several Australian host families then visit Indonesia to reunite with the students they hosted in Australia and learn more about Indonesian agriculture and its market requirements. Many of these Indonesian students progress to become leaders in their fields. These relationships cannot be valued in dollar terms but hold an immeasurable value in one of Australia's most important live exportmarkets. 

Both the IKAHAN and Cattle programs continue today. Both programs are within significant sectors tested in the past and likely to be tested in the future. However, Australia can take the philosophy and approachto weatherproof the defence and industry sectors. Australia can apply the resultant goodwill and strong relationships across the Indo-Pacific region. By adding ballast to our bilateral relationships through people-to-people linkages, we can better manage future shocks and add resilience to Australia and our neighbourhood. 

 *This article was recently published in The Strategist by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute

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