International Conference & Cultural Event of Aceh

The Autonomous Territory of Aceh on the northern tip of Indonesia’s Sumatra island is today considered a remarkable recovery story after coming though decades of political strife and the devastation of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.

The rich history and contemporary challenges of this extraordinary region will be the focus of an international conference and cultural event October 21 to 23 at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center. The conference theme is "Beyond Tsunami: The Aceh Experience and International Applications,” with sessions covering such issues as disaster management, peace building and conflict resolution, Islam and democracy, Ethnic identity and culture, and Aceh’s recovery and development.

Through these issues, the conference aims to highlight Aceh as an international “laboratory” for conflict resolution and disaster relief, highlighting the constructive value of scientific, technological and cultural perspectives on Aceh, as well as cultivating the potential and skills of people in Aceh in future development.

Conference presenters include specialists from the East-West Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Indonesian General Director of Information and Public Diplomacy and the Provincial Government of Aceh, along with other international professionals, students, faculty, government officials and representatives of nongovernmental organizations from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and United States.

In addition, the academic conference will be combined with a cultural event featuring accomplished performers of Aceh’s musical and dance traditions, which are steeped in the history of a region considered to be the starting point for Islamic culture in South East Asia.

The conference is being hosted by a collaboration of more than 10 international Acehnese student associations, in cooperation with the Hawaii chapter of the Indonesian Students Association (PERMIAS), Indonesian Club at the University of Hawaii , the East-West Center Arts and Education programs, the Southeast Asia Program at Cornell University, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Provincial Government of Aceh, the Indonesian Embassy and Consulate in the United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Aceh Relief Fund, as well as the Department of Political Science, Museum Studies Program, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Natural Sciences, College of Arts and Humanities, and School of Pacific and Asian Studies University of Hawaii at Manoa. At the end of the meeting, it is expected that participants will form an Aceh Studies Association to endorse a wider opportunity for research and academic activities.

Ticket Information
www.HonoluluBoxOffice.com (Only for performance's program)

Event Sponsor
Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Manoa Campus

More Information
Erenst Anip, 772-6184, acehconf@gmail.com

Ongoing Events