LP2M-FAH Organize Discussion on Child Upbringing and Institutions in Indonesia during the Colonial Period
FAH Theater, UIN Online News – Institute for Research and Community Service (LP2M), in collaboration with the Islamic Civilization History Program at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) UIN Jakarta, organized an event titled "Public Lecture: Children's Upbringing and Institutional Care in the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia, 1808-1950: Stories from the Archives." The event took place at the FAH Theater on Friday (6/14/2024).
The event featured Postdoc Fellow, Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Dr. Maaike Derksen, and Postdoctoral researcher at KNAW Humanities Cluster, Dr. Chiara Candaele, as speakers. The moderator for the event was Nurul Azizah, M. Hum.
Dr. Ida Farida, MLIS, as Vice Dean 1 of FAH, Prof. Amelia Fauzia, Ph.D, Head of LP2M, and several heads of FAH study programs.
The event aimed to examine the history of child upbringing and its institutions in the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia, including their scope, dynamics, and development. Practices of child upbringing, especially within institutions, sought to explore policies, practices, and children's experiences documented in archives. Therefore, the event was based on archival studies during the colonial period from 1808 to 1950 related to the topic.
In her address, Dr. Ida Farida, MLIS, expressed that the event was impactful and would broaden the perspectives of both undergraduate and graduate students. The research conducted by the two experts was particularly intriguing as it focused on Indonesia as a research site.
Furthermore, Dr. Farida expressed hope that students would engage in communication and questions related to the research. The data collected by the experts could serve as new sources of information for students, fostering discussions and knowledge exchange.
Dr. Maaike Derksen explained that colonial discourse not only metaphorically represented colonized societies as children in need of upbringing but also actively targeted children in colonial projects. Intervention in children's lives became central to colonial governance.
"It's not just about educational administration but also about imposing certain lifestyles, moral values, and creating clear colonial boundaries and hierarchies," she elucidated.
Dr. Chiara Candaele presented two micro-historical case studies. First, children in Papua, where the administration aimed to transform the subject populations or create a new generation of subjects. Second, Indo-European children, where hierarchical racial boundaries were imposed within the colonial territories.
She continued by highlighting that in Western European societies before 1700, children were viewed as miniature adults, making them targets for educational and institutional practices, transitioning into philanthropic organizations.
"One such example is the Orange-Nassau foundation in Magelang, established in 1893 by Protestant missionary Johannes 'Pa' Van Der Steur, which housed around 7,000 Indo-European boys and girls between 1896 and 1945," she stated.
Nurul Azizah, M. Hum, concluded that the research focused on the care and upbringing of children in Indonesia. In its application, the Dutch colonial army not only aimed to care for children but also furthered colonialism. The roles played maintained colonial hegemony, encouraging new dynasties to either align with or oppose colonialism.
"This research is intriguing and warrants further exploration. It could extend to the post-independence era to compare Indonesian government practices with colonial ones," she concluded.
(Muhammad Naufal Waliyyuddin/Fauziah Muslimah/Noeni Indah Sulistiyani/Photo: Adib Taufiqur'Rachman)