By: Hafid Abbas
a founding architect of the Indonesia–Norway Human Rights Dialogue, established in 2002
At a time when armed conflicts, social polarization, forced displacement, violent extremism, climate insecurity and democratic fragility are increasing across the world, international cooperation in peacebuilding and human rights has become more important than ever.
The prospective strategic partnership between the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (NCHR), the University of Oslo (UiO) and the proposed SEAMEO Center of Excellence for Peace and Conflict Transformation at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) offers a timely and innovative response to these global challenges. More than a conventional academic collaboration, it represents an opportunity to build an ASEAN–Nordic platform dedicated to advancing peace, human rights, reconciliation, mediation and inclusive development.
The initiative is rooted in a long history of Indonesia–Norway cooperation. In September 2000, Indonesia and Norway began a bilateral human rights dialogue that has since evolved into one of the most enduring and constructive partnerships between countries from different regions, cultures and political traditions. Over the past quarter century, the dialogue has provided a valuable forum for exchanging experiences on democracy, human rights, governance and conflict resolution.
The significance of that partnership became particularly visible during Indonesia’s democratic transition. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Indonesia faced enormous challenges: communal conflicts in Ambon and Poso, separatist tensions in Aceh and Papua, institutional reforms following the fall of authoritarian rule and the urgent need to strengthen democratic governance and human rights protection.
Despite widespread predictions of instability and even disintegration, Indonesia successfully navigated one of the most complex democratic transitions in modern history. Human rights dialogue with international partners, including Norway, contributed to strengthening institutional capacities and promoting a culture of democratic governance.
Today, Indonesia possesses valuable experiences that can contribute to regional and global peacebuilding efforts.
One of the most remarkable examples is Aceh. Following nearly three decades of armed conflict that claimed thousands of lives, the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding signed on Aug. 15, 2005 transformed one of Southeast Asia’s most protracted conflicts into a sustainable peace process. Facilitated by former Finnish president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, the agreement demonstrated how dialogue, political accommodation and respect for human dignity can succeed where military approaches totally fail.
The Aceh experience has relevance far beyond Indonesia. It offers practical lessons for conflict prevention, mediation and post-conflict recovery throughout ASEAN and other regions facing similar challenges.
Indonesia’s achievements are not limited to Aceh. The Malino peace process, facilitated by former vice president Jusuf Kalla, successfully ended devastating communal conflicts in Poso and Ambon through the Malino Declarations of 2001 and 2002. These agreements remain among Southeast Asia’s most important examples of community- based peacebuilding and interfaith reconciliation.
UNHAS and UiO occupy a unique position within this history
Many key figures involved in Indonesia’s peace processes are closely associated with UNHAS, including Jusuf Kalla, Hamid Awaluddin and Farid Husain. Their contributions helped transform some of Indonesia’s most difficult conflicts into opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation.
UNHAS also possesses a distinctive global peace legacy through its relationship with Nelson Mandela, who received an honorary doctorate from the university in 2005. Mandela’s lifelong struggle against apartheid and his commitment to reconciliation continue to inspire peacebuilders worldwide.
Meanwhile, Norway has earned international recognition for its contributions to peace mediation, democratic governance and human rights promotion. Norwegian institutions have supported peace processes in numerous regions, while the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights has emerged as one of Europe’s leading academic institutions in human rights education, research and policy engagement.
Combining Indonesia’s practical experience in peacebuilding with Norway’s expertise in human rights and mediation could generate a powerful synergy.
The proposed partnership seeks to institutionalize this synergy through academic cooperation, joint research, professional training, policy engagement and community outreach. It envisions student and faculty exchanges, collaborative teaching, joint degree programs, executive education and multidisciplinary research focused on peacebuilding, conflict transformation, migration, indigenous rights, climate justice and protection of vulnerable populations.
Particularly important is the proposal to establish an Indonesia–Norway Executive Certificate Program on Peacebuilding, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution for officials of Indonesia’s Ministry of Human Rights. Such a program could strengthen professional capacities while creating a new generation of practitioners equipped to address emerging social and political challenges.
The partnership also supports a broader strategic vision: positioning Indonesia as a regional center of excellence for peacebuilding and human rights education.
As ASEAN continues to confront complex issues ranging from communal tensions and migration to digital polarization and climate-induced displacement, there is a growing need for institutions capable of generating evidence-based policy solutions and practical conflict transformation strategies.
Indonesia’s experience demonstrates that peace is not achieved solely through security measures. Sustainable peace requires inclusive governance, social justice, respect for human rights and meaningful participation by communities themselves.
The proposed ASEAN–Nordic collaboration between the University of Oslo and Hasanuddin University reflects precisely this understanding. It recognizes that universities must serve not only as centers of learning but also as active contributors to peace, reconciliation and social transformation.
In an increasingly fragmented world, such partnerships offer a hopeful reminder that knowledge, dialogue and international cooperation remain among humanity’s most powerful tools for addressing conflict and advancing human dignity.
UNHAS to UiO, and from Makassar to the Nordic region, this partnership has the potential to show how universities can serve not only as centers of knowledge, but also as bridges of peace, justice and human solidarity across regions.
In this spirit, a Norwegian saying is worth recalling: “Varig fred er menneskehetens største investering. Den skaper rom for frihet, beskytter menneskets verdighet og gjør velstand mulig for både nåværende og kommende generasjoner” — “Lasting peace is humanity’s greatest investment. It creates space for freedom, protects human dignity, and makes prosperity possible for present and future generations.” This wisdom captures the essence of the proposed ASEAN–Nordic partnership. Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the foundation of human dignity, social trust and sustainable prosperity. In an increasingly fragmented world, investing in peace is ultimately an investment in humanity’s shared future.
Oslo, 12nd June 2026
