Indonesia is a country undergoing rapid political and social change as it struggles to develop democratic governance after over 30 years of Suharto's dictatorship. The recent political reforms necessitate changes in curriculum and pedagogy, particularly in civic education. To replace the classes in government and military ideology, the Indonesian educational system is seeking new approaches to civic education which promote democracy, anti-violence, and multiculturalism.

Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), formerly IKIP Padang (Padang Teacher Training College) has a long-time relationship with the Indiana University School of Education through its alumni.  In August 2000 the U.S. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded a three-year University Affiliations grant to the Indiana University School of Education for development of civic education in Indonesia through its partnership with UNP.  The program draws on the resources of SOE faculty in Policy Studies and Curriculum and Instruction, as well as the Social Studies Development Center (SSDC) housed at IU, and its ERIC Clearinghouse for International Civic Education, as well as the Indonesian Ministry of Education's Curriculum Development Center, and UNP's Centre for Civics Education.

Eight Indonesian participants will come to the US and five IU participants will go to Padang for working visits, seminars, and research.  39 civics education faculty at UNP and 12 IU faculty and advanced graduate students will be the primary participants in research and workshops under the program.

The program addresses three objectives: teacher education, development of materials for teacher education, and faculty development.   Participating faculty of UNP and IU are collaborating in the development of a framework and set of guidelines for educating teachers in new approaches to civic education.  Members of the Curriculum Development Center will participate in workshops in Indonesia and the US and prepare a briefing paper on alternative approaches to civic and multicultural education.  Through the exchange activities of this program, faculty capacities in global and multicultural teacher education will be strengthened at both IU and UNP by the introduction of comparative perspectives.

For more information please contact:

Peg Sutton
School of Education
Education 4254
IUB
Peg Sutton

Center for International Education and Development Assistance - Indiana University - 201 North Indiana Avenue -
Bloomington, IN 47408-4001 Phone - 812/855-8882 FAX - 812/855-6271
Copyright 2001, The Trustees of Indiana University