RCSD invites all to join a public seminar, “Development, Ethnic Conflict and Migration,” under the Researching Forced Displacement Issues in Southeast Asia series of seminars and research. This seminar series is hosted by the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), under the Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia program. Join us in person on April 28, 2026, 15:00-17:00 (Thailand Time) at the 4107 first floor meeting room of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, or register with us here to receive a link to join online.
This seminar series explores displacement issues in Southeast Asia, investigating various forms of displacement, enhancing understanding of the legal frameworks that govern displacement, and examining community responses to displacement.
Agenda
15:00 – 15:30 Welcome Remarks
Dr. Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Director of the Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development, Chiang Mai University
Dr. Sirada Khemanitthathai, Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia;
Lecturer, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University
15:30 – 16:15 Development, Ethnic Conflict, and Migration in Indonesia
Dr. Riwanto Tirtosudarmo
The presentation on “Development, Ethnic Conflict, and Migration in Indonesia” draws from extensive research on transmigration and political demography to demonstrate how state led development has reshaped Indonesia’s ethnic landscape and created new areas of conflict. It begins with a historical overview of transmigration and other internal migration policies, illustrating how efforts to reduce population density in Java and foster national unity have also led to local grievances over land, resources, and political representation in peripheral regions such as Kalimantan, Maluku, and Papua. Building on empirical case studies, the talk then explores how demographic shifts and perceived economic inequalities contribute to communal violence and displacement, highlighting how responses to migrants are influenced by center–region power imbalances and ethno-religious narratives. In its final reflections, the talk encourages critical examination of current trends in migration, urbanization, and decentralization, suggesting that more just and sustainable development in Indonesia depends on understanding migration as a political process and rethinking nation-building beyond security- and assimilationist paradigms.
16:15 – 16:30 Reflections and Discussions
Discussant: Dr. Naruemon Thabchumpon
16:30 – 17:00 Q&A Session
Moderated by Dr. Sirada Khemanitthathai