United in diversity

More about the book

In 2010, the University of Leipzig, University of Brawijaya, and Jakarta State University established an academic cooperation to foster interdisciplinary exchange in law and cultural studies. This collaboration led to an interdisciplinary summer school in July 2011 at the Faculty of Law in Leipzig, where German and Indonesian students and lecturers explored topics such as migration, integration, religion, and law under the theme “United in Diversity? Framing Diversity in Indonesia and Germany.” The title reflects Indonesia's national motto, which emphasizes unity amidst diversity, a principle enshrined in the Garuda Pancasila and Article 36A of the Indonesian Constitution. The book features articles by Indonesian scholars and students that examine how this motto is integrated into Indonesia's contemporary legal system, addressing human rights, press law, education law, general election law, intellectual property law, customary law, and Islamic law. These writings critique legal loopholes that could undermine the motto and Indonesia's pluralistic society. Additionally, contributions from German scholars offer insights into the socio-cultural and legal aspects of diversity in Germany, focusing on religious diversity and the challenges posed by migration in modern nation-states, including conflicts surrounding freedom of faith and the state's neutrality in religious matters.