NARASINETWORK.COM - The Australia Awards Short Course, titled ‘Enhancing Integrity, Transparency and Leadership in the Public Sector’, has formally concluded following a three-day post-course workshop held in Jakarta. The workshop convened 25 Indonesian public sector professionals to present and discuss the outcomes of their individual and collaborative award projects, following completion of the educational programme delivered by Griffith University.
The programme has facilitated the development and presentation of a wide range of initiatives addressing key governance challenges in Indonesia’s public sector. These include the design and testing of digital accountability tools intended to improve oversight of public funds and administrative processes; the formulation of public engagement frameworks to establish structured channels for citizen participation in policy development and implementation; the creation of procurement integrity solutions to strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements and mitigate risks of misconduct; and the development of targeted anti-corruption strategies aligned with domestic legal frameworks and institutional capacities.
Each project presented at the workshop has been developed to be actionable within existing governance structures, with due consideration given to relevant legislation, regulatory guidelines and operational constraints across different levels of public administration. The initiatives reflect analysis of current practices, identification of gaps in systems and procedures, and the proposal of practical measures to address identified issues. All projects have been tailored to fit within the parameters of Indonesia’s administrative and legal environment, ensuring feasibility of implementation in real-world settings.
A significant component of the workshop was the roundtable discussion convened to coincide with International Anti-Corruption Day. The session was attended by national legal and governance experts, including #OzAlum Dr Laode Muhammad Syarif, who contributed perspectives on mechanisms for strengthening public sector integrity in Indonesia. Discussions focused on the interface between legal frameworks, institutional practice and cultural norms; the role of oversight bodies in enforcing accountability standards; and the importance of aligning anti-corruption measures with broader governance objectives.
Participants examined how existing legislation including laws governing public procurement, financial management and freedom of information can be more effectively implemented to support integrity and transparency. The roundtable also considered approaches to building capacity within public institutions to ensure compliance with legal requirements, as well as mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of integrity measures. Contributions from attendees highlighted the importance of balancing regulatory rigor with administrative efficiency to achieve sustainable improvements in governance.
Throughout the duration of the short course and subsequent workshop, participants have engaged in structured learning on governance principles, legal frameworks and best practice models from both domestic and international contexts. They have collaborated to develop shared strategies for addressing common challenges, and have established professional networks across different government agencies, oversight bodies and civil society organisations. These connections are intended to support ongoing collaboration on integrity and transparency initiatives beyond the scope of the programme.
Equipped with updated knowledge of governance standards and legal requirements, agreed strategies for implementation, and strengthened professional connections, the participants are now positioned to contribute to driving improvements in administrative practice. Their work will support the delivery of more transparent and accountable governance across all levels of Indonesia’s public sector, with a focus on ensuring compliance with applicable laws and enhancing public trust in government institutions. The programme demonstrates ongoing cooperation between Australia and Indonesia in supporting capacity building for effective public administration.