INSWASH is Officially in the House!
A new collaborative platform dedicated to advancing research and action in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector was officially launched this week. The Indonesian Scholars in WASH (INSWASH) network brings together researchers, professionals, and policymakers to foster knowledge exchange and partnership in the WASH sector across Indonesia, officially on the 17th June 2025 in Depok, West Java, Indonesia.
The establishment of INSWASH responds to a pivotal moment of transformation in Indonesia’s WASH landscape, where growing attention is being directed toward climate resilience, inclusive service delivery, and evidence-based policymaking. The idea for this network was first proposed during the 2023 WASH Indonesia Symposium, which emphasized the need for science-based dialogue to support WASH systems that are climate-resilient and globally connected.
Australia has long demonstrated a commitment to inclusive WASH research partnerships and sustainable development. Central to this commitment are the principles of GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion), evidence-informed policy, and bilateral collaboration. These values have also shaped the INSWASH initiative, with academic support from institutions such as the University of Technology Sydney and Griffith University, which are actively involved in its inaugural events.
As its first major event, INSWASH was launched alongside with the INSWASH Hybrid Seminar Series.
The opening seminar titled: “Climate-Resilient WASH: Systems, Institutions, and Financing”
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (WIB)
Format: Hybrid (Hosted at Universitas Indonesia, University of Technology Sydney, and online)
The seminar explored Indonesia’s current WASH policy priorities through the lens of climate change. Discussions focused on systemic challenges such as climate-resilient infrastructure, non-revenue water (NRW), and tools to improve water quality, governance, and sustainable financing. Speakers from both Indonesia and Australia offered comparative insights to enhance mutual understanding and drive innovation in the sector. Attendees reached approximately 70 participants, both offline and online from both countries. The event was conducted bilingually in Bahasa Indonesia and English, with interpreters available to ensure accessibility.
This webinar was supported by the Australian Alumni Grant Scheme 2025 and featured leading thinkers from both countries, addressing critical issues in policy, system barriers, and financing strategies for climate-responsive WASH services.
Both the online and offline audiences responded to the INSWASH webinar with enthusiasm. Participants posed thoughtful questions, shared reflections from their own experiences, and offered insights that enriched the conversation. The hybrid format allowed for a dynamic exchange of perspectives, not only between Indonesian and Australian participants.
The keynote speach was presented by Prof. Dr. Ignasius D. A. Sutapa, an environmental expert currently serving as Director of Asia Pacific Centre for Ecohydrology (APCE) – UNESCO C2C. Meanwhile, panel of researches consist of Dr. Daniel (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Dr. Cindy Priadi (Universitas Indonesia), and Dr. Tim Foster (University of Technology Sydney). The discussion was moderated by Dr. Anindrya Nastiti, while the discussants were Chitra Retna S (Article 33 Indonesia), Iftita Rahmatika, Ph.D. (Universitas Indonesia), and Bronwyn Powell (Griffith University).
It became clear throughout the discussion that there is still much to unpack—particularly when it comes to the complex WASH challenges faced by communities across Indonesia. Issues such as infrastructure gaps, governance hurdles, funding constraints, and climate-related vulnerabilities surfaced repeatedly. More importantly, the network aims to go beyond diagnosis by actively exploring context-sensitive solutions and alternatives that promote inclusive, equitable, and sustainable access to WASH services. The energy in of the webinar reflected a shared determination to meet the challenges head-on, showing promise for progress in WASH.
This webinar was supported by the Australian Alumni Grant Scheme 2025 and featured leading thinkers from both countries, addressing critical issues in policy, system barriers, and financing strategies for climate-responsive WASH services. The event was conducted bilingually in Bahasa Indonesia and English, with interpreters available to ensure accessibility.
English 
Bahasa Indonesia