WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) announced last July 13 that it was launching the Derwin Pereira Indonesia Initiative (DPII).

CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization that seeks to advance global security and prosperity by providing strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision-makers.

In recognition of the strategic importance of Indonesia, the CSIS Southeast Asia Program has received a grant from Pereira International Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based strategic advisory company, chaired by Derwin Pereira, to conduct a series of leadership briefings, carry out original research, and create a new policy tool called “Indonesia in 4D.”

CSIS-DPII will focus attention on key issues related to Indonesia’s foreign policy, security and political posture, trade and investment, and social development.

Derwin Pereira, who has followed developments in Indonesia closely since 1995, said: “This project is well-timed and much-needed. Indonesia is the anchor of the ASEAN region and is becoming an important global actor. The U.S.-Indonesia relationship has a solid foundation but needs to continue to expand and deepen.”

Ernest Bower, senior adviser and director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS, will lead the CSIS-DPII. He noted: “This initiative will be a path-finder in that regard. We are grateful for the support of Mr. Pereira. He knows Indonesia and Southeast Asia and the need for enhanced understanding of the people and trends, as well as the opportunities and challenges.”

The one-year initiative will build understanding and insight into Indonesia in the year leading up to Indonesia’s hosting of the APEC Leaders’ Summit in 2013 and ahead of the country’s national elections in 2014.

Key elements of this initiative will include: *Indonesia Insight Website. CSIS will launch a DPII website within CSIS.org. It will have a major online presence and focus scholars on producing new articles and research covering Indonesia for the CSIS policy blog, cogitASIA (www.cogitASIA.com).

The site will focus on collaborative research, policy updates, and briefings and insights into the research conducted under the program.

*Leadership Briefings. The initiative will feature a platform for a series of intensive briefings with Indonesian government, business, and civil society leaders.

*Original Research. With support for the DPII and other sponsors, CSIS will conduct research and present a series of reports.

*Indonesia in 4D. The Initiative will support the production of CSIS’s new multimedia policy tool that will explain and underline Indonesia’s vital role in the Asia Pacific and globally and focus on areas for expanding U.S.-Indonesia cooperation.

For more information on the CSIS Derwin Pereira Indonesia Initiative, please contact Andrew Schwartz at aschwartz@ csis.org or (202) 775 3242.