Writing about the Free Papua Wins in California

Students from Pasadena City College, Tatiana Overly seemed to be explaining her paper presented in a poster, which depicts the struggle of the people of Papua to self-determination on HTTC Students Research Conference on Saturday, March 26, 2016 (Photo: Katja Liebing / Courier)

PASADENA, SATUHARAPAN.COM - Internationalization issues of Papuan people's struggle for self-determination, including the option of independence, seemed to be getting stronger. Although the Indonesian government tried to stem this case, the effort was apparently not successful.

Internationalization of the Papua issue is not only spread through the stage of international diplomacy as its had feared, but also through academic stage. And it is quite possible wider repercussions, because the target is young people who have a global vision of high ideals.

One example is what is done by Tatiana Overly, students Pasadena City College (PCC) in California. She was elected as one of the outstanding students who are required to display the papers in the subjects of Cultural Anthropology at Annual conference 17th hosted by Honor Transfer Council of California (HTTC).

On the advice of her teacher, Dr Derek Milne, Overly choose the topic of the struggle of the people of Papua in the struggle for self-determination. The papers she presented in the form of posters, one contested categories at the conference. As a result, Overly won the third rank. She presents her work at the conference and engaged in discussions with dozens of other students at the Pacific Ballroom, University of Irvine. California, on Saturday, March 26th last.

"Many people do not know about what's happening (in Papua) because the government has banned coverage of journalists, they prohibit anthropologist, almost shut from the outside world to be able to spread the word about what is happening there," said Overly, as reported by the Pasadena City College Courier ,

"We could see a dying culture with what is happening there," said Overly.

Overly is one of the students selected from across the state of California who participated volunteered to participate in this conference. Of its own schools, PCC, there were 44 applications received by the committee. Those who volunteered were asked to present their research results, both orally and in poster form.

HTTC itself is a non-profit organization and is a forum for directors and counselors flagship programs to share experiences and successes in dealing with talented students.

In this conference students from a community college - High School level - are given the opportunity to present their research, covering what they have learned in class, including the subjects of Anthropology, History, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering and many more.

Prior to the conference, they are required to include a summary of their written work as long as 250 words. Those selected are invited to attend training led by PCC Transfer Honors Program Coordinator, Dr. Derek Milne, to improve their papers again.

The highest award in the conference this fall to Roseanne Rivera, who won the Juan Lara Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students who can not afford, which managed to overcome the difficulties of life.

The second award was given to Hannah Stewart, President of the Honors Club, which received the Exemplary Achievement Scholarship. She was rewarded the appreciation not only for research but also for her leadership in reviving the organization.

"This conference is the best day of my life," said Milne. "I am very proud to hear the students and always a pleasure to meet with parents and family members. PCC students are very smart and awesome. They just need the opportunity to develop their research capabilities, "said Milne.

Pros and Contras of Internationalization Issues of Papua

She raised the issue of Papua by a younger generation of US Indonesian government deserves attention because it addresses this issue has a special attraction. The image of the people of Papua as an oppressed people seem to have been scattered across time and continents.

Pros and cons of internationalization of the issue of Papua itself is quite long. There are some circles consider that internationalization will not be sold in the international world. One who thinks so is Toni Sudibyo, a researcher at the Institute of Strategic Information Studies Indonesia (LSISI), Jakarta.

According to him, the internationalization of the issue of Papua in the European Parliament and the EU does not resonate because it is considered potentially damaging Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Indonesia and the European Union.

He added that Indonesia-EU PCA is an umbrella agreement governing cooperation and partnership in a comprehensive, detailed, between Indonesia and the EU. Relations between Indonesia and the EU after the PCA will be marked by the development of relations is more institutionalized and includes areas of extensive cooperation including the political, security, counter terrorism, economy, trade, investment, education, socio-cultural as well as various strategic areas of common interest RI-EU ,

According to him, PCA Indonesia and the EU also set a good affirmation of support for the EU member states as well as all EU institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament, to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. "The support respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia by Europe is a legal obligation. The EU is also bound by law not to support separatist movements Indonesia in any form," he wrote in a column titled Internationalization Problems Papua Will not Practice broadcast by CNN.

While on the other hand, quite many argue internationalization Papua issue is irreversible. Therefore, Jakarta must earnestly to hold a dialogue with the community elements of Papua to internationalize this issue does not become wild.

One of those who think so are LIPI researchers, Cahyo Pamungkas.

"Internasinalisasi Papua problem has existed since ancient not a problem for even a problem for the Papua problem for the national but international," said Floreal, to satuharapan.com recently.

According to him, the problem of integration of Papua into the Republic of Indonesia came from the Round Table Conference in 1949. The status of Papua are conducted in accordance with the talks between the Indonesian authorities and the Dutch. It was already showing the international dimension of the problem of Papua.

Trikora last event, triggering a conflict Indonesia and the Netherlands are mediated by the United States, also shows the international dimension of the problem of Papua.

"When some of the figures the Free Papua Organization (OPM) fled abroad, to the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Australia, it has begun to create the seeds of the internationalization process of the Papua which then lead to the establishment of International Parliamentarians for West Papua (International Parliementarians for West Papua) in the UK in 2008. Then summit Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in 2015, was also part of the internationalization of the issue of Papua, "Floreal said.

Editor: Eben E. Siadari

Author: Eben E. Siadari 16:37 pm | Saturday, April 2, 2016

Notes: 

If anyone want to read this news in Indonesian please to click here, Karya Tulis tentang Papua Merdeka Raih Penghargaan di California Amerika Serika.  This is a lesson for all those who care about the suffering of indigenous Papuans over their own land under control by the Indonesian brutaly armed,

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Translated and Republishing by,

Sebby Sambom

An Independence Activist of West Papua

Former West Papuan olitical Prisoner