Jakarta, 21 March 2024: ERIA’s Healthcare Unit, accompanied by its research project partners, Nozomisono and the London School of Public Relations (LSPR), visited the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the President's Secretariat, and Autism Foundation in Jakarta on 20 and 21 March to discuss some issues concerning individuals with developmental disorders in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations comprising ASEAN.

On the first day, Dr Takuma Kato, Director for Healthcare Unit of ERIA and Dr Ryuhei Sano from Nozomisono presented their recent research findings on policies concerning individuals with developmental disorders. They shed light on pressing challenges and potential opportunities not only within Indonesia but across the ASEAN region. Dr Sano underscored two primary obstacles: the lack of attention towards individuals with developmental disorders and the scarcity of human resources. Moreover, he highlighted Indonesia’s rapid development trajectory and its large demographic as a great opportunity for collaboration with the Indonesian government through future projects in ASEAN. The overarching aim is to develop a policymaking framework between Indonesia and Japan, with the ASEAN-Japan Communication and Support Hub for Developmental Disorders standing as the anticipated cornerstone outcome.

Imam Kurniawan, Expert staff from the Ministry of Social Affairs, expressed his support for this great initiative. He suggested the inclusion of another specialised organisation, such as the National Disability Committee, to enrich the collaborative efforts further. Additionally, he provided an overview of the Ministry’s existing policies and programmes tailored to support individuals with developmental disorders. These initiatives span various areas, including human resources and entrepreneurship, exemplified by programmes like the National Economic Hero specifically designed to empower those with developmental disorders.

The next meeting evolved into a vibrant discussion on developmental disorders between ERIA and the Autism Foundation Indonesia. Both parties underscored the importance of heightening public awareness to combat the stigma surrounding developmental disorders. They also stressed the need to bolster services and support systems for individuals grappling with developmental disorders and their families.

On the second day, ERIA, Nozomisono, and LSPR visited the President's Secretariat Office for a dialogue with Angkie Yudistia, the President's Special Staff for Social Affairs. She highlighted the limited representation of individuals with developmental disorders in the workplace in Indonesia and the nation’s continued reliance  on charity programmes. In contrast, she noted the expanded focus on national human resource development in other countries. Armed with this insight, ERIA expressed its eagerness to collaborate on the upcoming ASEAN project under the leadership of the Indonesian government, aiming to ensure that individuals with developmental disorders receive the support and opportunities they rightfully deserve. Yudistia welcomed this proactive initiative and pledged her commitment to continued discussions.

These two days of deliberations marked a significant milestone in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with developmental disorders in Indonesia and the ASEAN region.  The partnership forged during these meetings is poised to become a blueprint for cross-sector collaboration, demonstrating how the synergy between research institutions and government bodies can lead to impactful societal changes. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and the formulation of a strategic action plan aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disorders in Indonesia and the broader ASEAN region.