International Student and Scholar Services invites you to World on Wednesdays, which gives students, faculty and Vanderbilt community members the chance to engage with other parts of campus through presentations on topics that address and open discussion on a breadth of global issues and experiences.
Topic: “Indonesia, the Improbable Nation: Bringing Together Language, Ethnic and Religious Diversity.” Are you familiar with Bali? Do you know that it is just one of the many islands in the Republic of Indonesia?
Indonesia is the third-largest democracy in the world, consisting of 17,508 islands, 6 religions, about 300 distinct native ethnic groups and 742 different languages and dialects. It is home to the largest modern matriarchal society in the world and has the largest Muslim population in the world, yet it is not an Islamic country. What holds this improbable nation together, and what challenges does it face?
Rany Octaria will discuss how Indonesia fosters the incorporation of diversity into daily life, the education system and the government of the country. This presentation will use the perspective of a native as well as ideas from the book Indonesia, Etc. by Elizabeth Pisani. The aim of this presentation is to expand the perspective of students, faculty and staff, to invigorate research about Indonesia, and to raise awareness of what makes Indonesia unique.
When: Wednesday, March 2
Time: Noon–1 p.m.
Where: Student Life Center lower-level meeting rooms 1 and 2. Lunch will be provided.
Questions: Contact derrick.m.stevens@vanderbilt.edu or isss@vanderbilt.edu.