ACICIS was pleased to host 33 students on the Virtual Summer Law Professional Practicum (LPP) from January to February 2022. The students came from eight Australian universities, including The Australian National University (ANU), Deakin University, Griffith University, La Trobe University, Monash University, Murdoch University, University of New South Wales (UNSW), and Western Sydney University (WSU). 30 students completed the LPP with the support of a $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant.
The LPP participants undertook 5-weeks of language classes hosted by Atma Jaya Catholic University and academic program activities which consisted of series of law-related seminars and virtual fieldtrips. The speakers for the seminar series, ranging from high profile government officials, academics, and practitioners, gave students a glimpse of the Indonesian legal system in preparation for their placements. The academic seminars 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.
The LPP cohort had the opportunity to virtually visit the Constitutional Court of Indonesia/Mahkamah Konstitusi Republik Indonesia (MKRI). The visit started with a presentation by M. Lutfi Chakim, a researcher at the institution, about the function and role of the MKRI as well as the current issues such as controversial appointment of justices to the MKRI. The students also had the opportunity to virtually ‘walk around’ the building to see the functional rooms and the Centre of the Constitutional History/Pusat Sejarah Konstitusi, guided by MKRI’s staff.
The cohort also visited The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia/Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia (DPR RI). Welcomed by the Head of the General Secretariat, Dr Inosentius Samsul, the students learnt about the existence of the DPR RI as the legislative institution in Indonesia’s political system. The session was then followed by virtual tour of the building.
The students undertook a six-week placement at a international or local host organisation in Indonesia. ACICIS collaborated with 21 host organisations for the Summer 2022 Virtual Law Professional Practicum, ranging from legal aid institutes, international NGOs, research centres, government institutions and law firms. These organisations included BKBH Unika Soegijapranata, Associated Program for International Law (APINTLAW), Bagus Enrico & Partners (BE Partners), Dirga Putra Corporate Legal Services (DPCLS), Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), Institute for Migrant Rights (IMR), The Ministry of Law and Human Rights – Regional Office of East Java, KontraS, LBH Bali Women Crisis Centre (BWCC), LBH Masyarakat, LOH Partners, MAAS Law Office, Misael & Partners, Muhtar Halim & Partners (MHP), Okusi Associates, Perkumpulan untuk Pemilu dan Demokrasi (PERLUDEM), Pusat Studi Hukum Islam UII, PRIK-KT UI, Reinhard & Partners, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) and Yang & Co. The students were supervised by mentors experienced in their field and ACICIS’ Academic Program Officer, Mr Pranoto Iskandar throughout their placement.
We would like to congratulate all 33 students on their incredible participation during 2022 Virtual Law Professional Practicum. We wish all students the best for the future and hope to see them all in Indonesia soon.