The 2004 tsunami revisited: reflections after three years

Key figure in Indonesian reconstruction to give free public lecture at McGill

Earlier this month, when Cyclone Nagris tore through Myanmar, memories of the devastating tsunami that ripped through nine East Asian countries in December 2004 arose and the world reflected. The waves killed some 170,000 people in Indonesia's Aceh province alone. But what has happened in the region since? How successful has reconstruction been? Has the suffering been alleviated? What lessons have been learned?

On Thursday, May 29, McGill University’s Indonesia Social Equity Project and McGill’s Centre for Developing Area Studies will present a free public lecture by Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Director of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Executing Agency for Aceh and Nias, titled, 2004 Tsunami – Reflections Three Years After. Officials from the Embassy of Indonesia in Ottawa will accompany Dr. Kuntoro. The lecture will be delivered at 11 a.m. at McGill’s Redpath Museum, Redpath Lecture Hall, 859 Sherbrooke St. W.

As Director of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Executing Agency for Aceh and Nias, Dr. Kuntoro combines a distinguished track record in government and academia with an in-depth understanding of international regulations and practices in relation to development, economic growth, reconstruction and emergency relief co-ordination. He has been involved in post-tsunami relief work in Aceh following the 2004 tsunami through roles with the Global Rescue Network, Indonesia Rescue Network (IndoRescue) and Wanadri (Youth Jungle Explorer and Mountaineering Association).

The Indonesia Social Equity Project represents the continuation of decades of co-operation between McGill University and the State Institutes of Islamic Studies in Indonesia (IAIN). The project’s goal is to contribute to social cohesion and political stability in Indonesia by enabling the institutes to play a leadership role in integrating religion and development and to strengthen their capacity to support teacher training and community development.

The lecture is free and open to the public. A Q & A session will follow the presentation.