Following the success of the Summer 2021 Virtual Law Professional Practicum (LPP), ACICIS Study Indonesia welcomed 31 students virtually to the Winter 2021 LPP program, held from June to September. The students came from ten Australian universities: The Australian National University, Curtin University, Griffith University, Monash University, Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology, UNSW Sydney, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, and Western Sydney University. 27 students completed the LPP with the support of a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant. All students were supervised by the ACICIS Academic Program Officer (APO), Mr Pranoto Iskandar.

LPP participants undertook an academic program which consisted of Indonesian language classes delivered by experienced lecturers from Pusat Pengajaran Bahasa (PPB) Atma Jaya University. The participants were also required to attend a series of law-related seminars. The speakers, ranging from high profile government officials, academics, and practitioners, gave students a glimpse of the Indonesian legal system in preparation for their placements. The seminar series covered a wide variety of topics including significant legal issues, human rights and ongoing case studies in Indonesia which were relevant to areas of future law reform and research collaboration between Australia and Indonesia.

LPP cohort had the opportunity to be involved in industry case studies during the program. The cohort were able to discuss in depth about “Death Penalty Controversies in Indonesia” with Dr Elisabeth Kramer from The University of Sydney and Mr Pan Mohamad Faiz from the Constitutional Court of Indonesia. Giving the insights of “The Legal and Regulatory Environment of doing business in Indonesia”, Pendleton & Co Pty Ltd, an international service company focused in oil and gas, resource, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the public sector, hosted the participants to discuss about the legal challenges and prospects in establishing business in Indonesia.

The students then commenced their nine-week placements at their assigned host organisations. ACICIS collaborated with 23 host organisations for the Winter 2021 Virtual Law Professional Practicum, ranging from legal aid institutes, international NGOs, research centres, government institutions and law firms. These organisations included Azwar Hadisupani Rum & Partners (AHRP), ASEAN Intergovernmental Comission for Human Rights (AICHR) in Indonesia, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR), Associated Program for International Law (APINTLAW), Bagus Enrico (Partners (BE Partners), Center for Detention Studies (CDS), Dirga Putra Corporate Legal Services (DPCLS), Ecological Observation and Wetlands Conservation (Ecoton), Foreign Policy Community Indonesia (FPCI), Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), Husdi Herman & Associates, Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), JIFO Law Office, Institute for Migrant Rights (IMR), The Ministry of Law and Human Rights – Regional Office of East Java, KontraS, LBH Masyarakat, LOH Partners, Muhtar Halim & Partners (MHP), Perkumpulan untuk Pemilu dan Demokrasi (PERLUDEM), PRIK-KT UI, Reinhard & Partners, and Yang & Co Law Firm. The students were supervised by mentors who are experienced in their field throughout their placement.

We would like to congratulate all 31 students on their incredible work for Winter 2021 Virtual Law Professional Practicum. We wish all students the best in their future endeavours and we hope to see them all in Indonesia when international travels resume soon.