Welcome to the Worst Club Ever - the club of people who have lost a child. We're really glad you found us, and we're so sorry you're here. Losing a child is a horrific experience unlike any other; if you're looking for understanding, resources and community, you've come to the right place. Join bereaved mom and licensed psychotherapist Allie Kramer as she sets out to rebuild her life after the loss of her 4-year-old son to brain cancer. She'll be talking to experts in grief, trauma, medicine ...
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In the Talking Indonesia podcast, Dr Jemma Purdey, Dr Jacqui Baker, Tito Ambyo and Dr Elisabeth Kramer present an extended interview each fortnight with experts on Indonesian politics, foreign policy, culture, language and more. Find all the Talking Indonesia podcasts and more at the Indonesia at Melbourne blog.
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43 percent of women who have kids leave the workforce at some point. In this series of fireside chats with inspiring women, spanning a variety of industries and experiences, host Claudia Reuter aims to share more examples than what we typically see of what's possible for women thinking through work and family decisions. A former stay-at-home mom herself, Reuter went on to be a venture-backed CEO, an executive at a >$2B company, a board director, and a Managing Director at Techstars. She is t ...
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What It's Like to Be My Therapist, with Susan Reedy
1:10:39
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1:10:39Do you ever wish you could ask your therapist what it's like to sit across the couch from you? This week on Worst Club Ever, Allie has this very conversation with her own therapist, Susan Reedy, one of the most essential members of her support system. For the past two years, Susan has walked alongside Allie through the unimaginable — beginning in t…
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Haryo Pambuko Jiwandono - Indonesian Games and Esports
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42:23In recent years, Indonesia has experienced a remarkable transformation in its gaming landscape, with mobile esports emerging as a powerful cultural and economic force. What was once considered a fringe activity now enjoys mainstream legitimacy, supported by both grassroots communities and government institutions.In this episode, Tito Ambyo speaks w…
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Finding a Grief Community with Larry Carlat
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49:22What does it mean to build a grief community? When faced with as devastating and uncommon a loss as the death of one's child, many bereaved parents find themselves seeking others who have walked a similar path, and find so much comfort in joining support groups and community events. In today’s episode, Allie attends a Walk & Remember 5K through Our…
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Olin Monteiro - A growing protest movement
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33:37A growing protest movementOn 28 March, in downtime Jakarta across from the Sarinah department store, an unlikely group of protesters gathered holding signs and making speeches. The crowd largely consisted of middleclass women of various ages, gathered under the name ‘Suara Ibu Indonesia’ (Voices of Indonesian Mothers). For the organisers, the choic…
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Supporting a Dying Child with Kelsey Mora
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52:13How do you prepare anyone for death, let alone a child? YOUR child? It's something no parent should ever have to face, and yet, many of us have had to. And when this impossible scenario arises, how on earth do you handle it? Do you tell your child exactly what's happening to them? What if they're scared? Confused? How do you walk with them down thi…
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Melandri Vlok - Archaeology and Reading Bones
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38:02Bones can tell us so much about the past, not just about the ancestry of modern humans (or homo sapiens) but also about the people and cultures of times long forgotten. When we think about Indonesia’s place in history, we’re often inclined to think about the histories that shape the socio-cultural and political dynamics we see today. But Indonesia’…
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In this episode, we explore what it means to be stuck. Specifically, stuck in the debilitating, all-consuming acute phase of grief. Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Nancy Turret joins Allie for a conversation about Prolonged Grief, a term that recently caused quite a stir in the psychology world. They talk …
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Citra Lestari - Engaging Marginalised Groups in Risk Communication
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28:51In Indonesia, a country prone to disasters and emergencies, effective risk communication can mean the difference between safety and vulnerability for millions. But what happens when risk communication fails to reach those most marginalised? How do social determinants of health impact how urban poor women navigate crises like the COVID-19 pandemic?I…
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How to Talk to a Grieving Parent with Colin Campbell
1:02:13
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1:02:13Have you ever wondered what to say to a grieving parent? In this episode, Allie is joined by Colin Campbell, author of Finding The Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose, which he wrote after his two teenage children, Ruby and Hart, were killed in a car accident by a drunk and high driver. In this refreshingly candid conversatio…
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Diego Garcia Rodriguez - Queer Muslims and Their Allies
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37:46Queer Muslims and Their AlliesAmid Indonesia’s conservative turn, the moral panics of the 2010s and the introduction of the draconian Criminal Code in 2022, LGBTQI+ people are as vulnerable as at any time in the country’s modern history. In a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population and where religion plays a central role in defining belon…
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This past week has seen what some have argued are the first big mobilisations of the new Prabowo government, with coordinated student protests across 12 cities under the banner of Indonesia Gelap, or “Dark Indonesia”. The students list a number of demands, from human rights to environmental issues, but the trigger for these protests lie in deep bud…
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In the final part of Theo’s story, Allie and Mike share the magic of hearing their son speak again, after four months of silence. They reflect on a beautiful and intense summer - the elated highs and the gutting lows, before recounting their final weeks with Theo, when his tumor began to progress and eventually took his life. SUNSET is part 3 of a …
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In Part 2 of Theo’s story, Allie and Mike describe hearing the news of their son’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and chronicle the first four months that followed. They share their journey through radiation, treatment planning, and trying to bring Theo the most magical experiences possible amidst the chaos of cancer. ECLIPSE is part 2 of a 3 part seri…
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Jane Ahlstrand - The Climate Crisis and Gender Nexus
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33:57Climate Change is well-recognised as a massive challenge facing society today. It is clear that the political, economic and social consequences of climate change will not be felt equally, not only globally but also across Indonesia. Geography, class and—indeed--gender dynamics will influence how individuals Indonesians experience and respond to cli…
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In the very first episode of Worst Club Ever, host Allie Kramer and her husband Mike begin to tell the story of the life and death of their four-year-old son, Theo. In Part 1, Allie and Mike share what their lives were like with Theo from his birth, up until his devastating brain cancer diagnosis at age three. SUNRISE is part 1 of a 3 part series. …
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Moira Tirtha - Nongkrong Festival and the Indonesian Diaspora
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39:01In Melbourne and across Australia, Indonesian diaspora communities are reimagining what it means to celebrate their cultural identity through art, food, and the simple act of "nongkrong" - hanging out. But what happens when these cultural practices become spaces for exploring complex questions about belonging, identity, and ethical settlement on Ab…
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Wulan Dirgantoro - Art, Activism and a Cancelled Show
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34:47Art, activism and a cancelled show - Wulan DirgantoroLate last year news media splashed the image of an elderly artist standing before a locked door at the National Gallery of Indonesia. The sign behind him displayed his name - Yos Suprapto – and the title of his solo exhibition 'Kebangkitan: Tanah Untuk Kedaulatan Pangan' (Revival: Land for Food S…
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Late last month, for the first time its history, Indonesia held simultaneous regional elections across 545 provinces, regencies and municipalities across the country. Across 6000 ballot stations, and 1553 contesting candidates, there were upsets in key regions, like Central Java where the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) lost its prov…
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Vannessa Hearman - East Timor's Great Famine, 1977-1979
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41:59Vannessa Hearman - East Timor’s Great Famine, 1977-1979Following Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor in December 1975, the forced displacement and mass starvation of its people resulted in what is known as the Great East Timor Famine, 1977-1979. As Indonesian forces moved into the province thousands of people were forced to flee their villages and…
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Aristyo Darmawan - Prabowo, China and the South China Sea
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28:08About 1000km north of Jakarta is a little pocket of paradise, a sprinkle of islands called the Natuna Islands, home to less than 100,000 people. These sparsely populated islands are the gateway to the North Natuna Sea, an area of unparalleled natural wealth. These waters are rich in fish, tuna, mackerel and marine life which sustains fisher livelih…
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We often talk hear about the lives and living conditions of Indonesian migrant workers, many of them going to countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and states in the Middle East to find employment. In its 2024 Empowering Migrant Workers report, the United Nations Development Project estimated that 9 million Indonesians are working abroad…
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The Papal VisitIn early September, Pope Francis visited Indonesia as part of a tour of the region. It was the third papal visit to the country after tours by Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989. This trip included Indonesia, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. The theme of this visit to the world’s largest Muslim nation was …
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Uji Nugroho Winardi - The History of Corruption in Indonesia
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43:05Corruption in Indonesia is widely acknowledged as a complex issue, with some even suggesting it as something that is deeply entrenched in Indonesian culture. However, this perspective overlooks the generally accepted notion among historians of colonialism that corruption in Indonesia and other post-colonial nations is, at least partially, rooted in…
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Remco Vermeulen - Revitalisation of Dutch Colonial Urban Spaces
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32:22Some of the most challenging issues post-colonial societies face involve managing the physical remnants of their colonial histories. In Indonesia, centuries of colonialism left many buildings and spaces with strong colonial identities. While some of these spaces are now abandoned and forgotten, others are being remembered and revitalised.In this ep…
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Starting a Start UpStarting a small business is a challenge in any context, but what about if you're a foreigner looking to establish a restaurant in Indonesia? What's it like to move to Indonesia, knowing little to nothing about the country, and then go on to start a successful online food business? What is it about the business context in Indones…
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Digital PopulismJust as we were recording this podcast, the hashtag #daruratdemokrasi (democratic emergency) went viral across Indonesian social media. The alert was prompted by the latest example of Indonesia’s parliament (DPR) attempting to override or block a ruling by the Constitutional Court related to the eligibility of candidates to run in r…
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One of the signature campaign promises of the Prabowo Subianto presidency is free lunches and milk for Indonesian school kids. This plan is linked to a much wider set of reforms to the way Indonesia’s produces and organises its agriculture sector, including the modernization of agriculture and converting land to plantations. The details are still p…
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Taufiq Rahman - Vinyl Revival In Indonesia
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32:39The Indonesian music scene is currently experiencing a vibrant period of experimentation, where musicians are blending vernacular Indonesian music traditions with elements from diverse global influences and historical periods. This fusion has led to the emergence of groundbreaking acts like Senyawa, who have successfully captured international atte…
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Antje Missbach - Refugees Growing Up in Limbo
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39:21Antje Missbach - Refugees growing up in limboIndonesia is currently home to over 13,000 refugees and asylum seekers, a majority of them young people who are stuck in limbo waiting for their futures to be determined. For most, it takes years, sometimes more than a decade, for resettlement to become an option. In the meantime, for those who arrive in…
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Howie Manns and Jessica Kruk - Indonesian language instruction
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42:25Teaching Indonesian as a second language comes with challenges. In Australia, there is a wide gulf between the government's rhetoric about the importance of learning Indonesian and the realities faced by teachers on the ground. In the absence of centralised resources, Indonesian teachers often have to work creatively to devise their own materials a…
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Bivitri Susanti - Dirty VoteThe frenzied final weeks of campaigning leading up to the presidential election on 14 February 2024 were packed with promises, symbols, celebrity and cash. When the dance literally stopped a few days before the polls opened, in the traditional cooling off period, a documentary film, Dirty Vote, dropped on YouTube. The wo…
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John Cheong-Holdaway, Eka Poedijono and Jocelyn Tribe - Gamelan Music
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36:22In November 2023, a unique event occured. Eight gamelan groups - Gamelan DanAnda, Kacapi Suling Melbourne, Mahindra Bali Gamelan, Melbourne Community Gamelan, Mugi Rahayu, Putra Panji Asmara, Talo Balak, Selonding Sapta Nugraha - came together to perform at a small church in Northcote, a suburb in North Melbourne.The gathering was dedicated to the …
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The talk on the street is all about electric cars and scooters as Indonesia strives to become a regional centre for manufacturing electric vehicles. At the heart of that goal is constructing a national supply chain of locally built battery hubs to drive the transition to electric.But as my current guest reminds us, harnessing electricity has always…
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Introducing: Worst Club Ever (A Child Loss Podcast)
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2:48Welcome to the Worst Club Ever - the club of people who have lost a child. Join bereaved mom and licensed psychotherapist Allie Kramer as she sets out to rebuild her life after the loss of her 4-year-old son to brain cancer. She'll be talking to experts in grief, trauma, medicine, and of course, other bereaved parents, trying to figure out how to t…
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Kathryn Robinson - Marriage Migration and Intercultural Families
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40:36There are many things that drive migration to other countries, and one of them is romantic relationships and marriages. But Asian women who are developing relationships with men from Western countries, like Australia, be it through snail mails, online sites or other means, often have to face the stereotype of the ‘subservient woman’. This stereotyp…
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Indonesia has one of the highest smoking rates in the world - approximately two thirds of Indonesian men are classified as smokers. This is in spite of anti-smoking discourses and tobacco control policies becoming more and more prominent across the globe, at least in many middle and high-income countries.In this episode of Talking Indonesia Elisabe…
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Indonesians have a saying that you’re not properly satisfied until you’ve eaten rice (belum kenyang kalau belum makan nasi). But in recent weeks the price of rice has hit record highs, meaning that this daily serving of rice is becoming out of reach for some. In 2023 an EL Niño weather pattern across Indonesia made it the hottest year on record, le…
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Al Khanif - Jural Traditions and Minority Rights
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32:35How do religious minorities fare under the constitution and blasphemy laws in Indonesia? The Indonesia Constitution seems to guarantee religious freedom so long as you believe in an almighty god. However, there are many real-life cases where it seems this is not enough. Add to this blasphemy laws, which have existed since the 1960s, and we can see …
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Bronwyn Beech Jones - Women Writers in the Colonial Era
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34:50In the early 20th century in Sumatra, a movement of young women writers were finding new ways to express their identities, build communities and achieve their dreams. Soenting Melajoe was the first newspaper for women published in West Sumatra during the colonial era in the Dutch East Indies. The newspaper was a part of a larger constellation of pe…
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Energy transitionIn the recent national elections, the candidates paid surprisingly little attention to one of the greatest challenges Indonesia and the world at large is currently facing – that of climate change. At the same time, for more and more Indonesians, climate change induced natural disasters like droughts, storms and floods are increasin…
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Prabowo has exceeded expectations to claim victory in 2024 Indonesian presidential election.What do our Talking Indonesia's co-hosts think about the result? Who are the winners and losers? What were the most interesting aspects of the campaign behind Prabowo’s success? And how did a pack of cigarettes save our co-host, Tito Ambyo, from possible jai…
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Faris Al Fadhat - Big BusinessConglomerates are the main players in the Indonesian economy, controlling core industries like agribusiness, banking and property and telecommunications. They are often built over multiple generations of a single, often ethnic Chinese, family.Indonesia’s biggest conglomerates - Sinar Mas Group, Royal Golden Eagle, Lipp…
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Marcus Mietzner - The Presidential Election
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45:46With the election just weeks away the campaign for the presidency is in full flight. The three candidates – Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan – are proven campaigners and already familiar faces, but as has been the case in Indonesian politics for a while now, it is the coalitions they form around their tickets that will prove deci…
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Mirjam Lücking - Indonesian Encounters in Israel and Palestine
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39:32Since the most recent conflict erupted between Israel and Gaza following the October 7 Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s subsequent mass bombings of the Gaza strip, the Indonesian public and government have overwhelmingly condemned Israel's actions. Like most Muslim nations around the world, Indonesia’s solidarity with Palestine is long-standing and deep…
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Jonathan Tehusijarana - Indonesian Student Armies
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40:25The Indonesian word ‘pemuda’, or young person, has a complex meaning and history. Like in other languages and cultures, the term conjures up images of change and vitality. But in Indonesia, it also carries militaristic and masculine connotations which are coloured by the way it was used during the New Order era.In his PhD thesis at the University o…
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Lailatul Fitriyah - Religion, Gender and Migrant Worker Identity
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30:34The choice by Indonesians to become a foreign overseas worker, known as Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (TKI), is viewed primarily as an economic one. Working in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong or further afield in the Middle East, is perceived to offer possibilities beyond what they might hope for back home. The Indonesian governme…
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Kate McGregor - Activism, Memory and Sexual Violence
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42:16Kate McGregor - Activism, Memory and Sexual ViolenceDuring its Occupation of East Asian and Southeast Asian countries in World War II, including the Netherlands Indies, the Japanese military installed a system of enforced prostitution, known euphemistically as the ‘comfort women’ system.Today these crimes are relatively well-known and condemned. In…
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YouTube In Indonesia - Indonesia Council Open Conference Presentation
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50:07As of July 2023, Indonesia had 139 million YouTube viewers giving it one of the biggest YouTube audiences in the world. But beyond the numbers, YouTube has also become an influential cultural force in Indonesia. YouTubers are shaping what we listen to and watch. YouTube food vloggers are changing the food we eat and the way we eat it. YouTube has e…
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Aisyah Llewellyn -Justice for Mass Atrocities
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38:52Indonesia has sadly been the site of many crimes and mass atrocities, but uncovering all the details is fraught with challenges. How many people were killed or injured? Who was at fault? Who was in charge?And yet, as long as these events are shrouded in mystery, wrongdoing can go unpunished, victims stay unheard and we are unable to learn from our …
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Dr Julie Chernov-Hwang - Pathways To Extremism
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30:20Indonesia is the largest Muslim majority country in the world, but it is not an Islamic state. The place of Islam within the state has been contested over the years, with proponents for and against a larger role for Islam in government and in the lives of citizens. The groups who advocate for a more prominent role for Islam occupy a wide spectrum o…
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