Flinders has hosted a delegation from West Java to support an ongoing Indonesian study into child protection issues in South Australia.

The delegation visited Adelaide as part of the Sister State Province Joint Education and Training Action Plan between South Australia and West Java, and was hosted at the Flinders University Pendopo.

The visit was coordinated by the South Australian Department of State Development.

Delegation members met with Dr Helen McLaren from the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work to discuss the social issues affecting children, family and communities in South Australia.

Dr McLaren currently collaborates with colleagues at Universitas Padjadjaran in West Java and supports Indonesian postgraduate students studying at Flinders.

Marlene Viloria-Viola, from the International Education Office of the South Australian Department of State Development, was delighted at the outcome of the visit.

“The delegates learned about potential avenues for cooperation in child protection through research collaboration, the development of shared tools for learning, customised short courses and joint postgraduate degrees,” says Ms Viloria-Viola.

The visit also reinforced the invaluable relationship that already exists between Flinders University and its partners in Indonesia.