Speaker(s): Dr Rizal Sukma | Emerging from domestic political turmoil of 1966, Indonesia sought to re-orient its foreign policy of anti-west and regional confrontation. It pursued a policy of self-restraint for the benefit of regional reconciliation, through its role as a founding member of ASEAN in August 1967. Indonesia's credentials as a regional partner were cemented by its enthusiastic and active engagement in every aspect of ASEAN's activism ever since. Fifty years on, however, there is a need for a strategic reassessment of Indonesia's role in ASEAN and the extent to which ASEAN remains the main platform --the cornerstone--for the attainment of Indonesia's changing national and international priorities. Rizal Sukma (@DrRizalSukma) has been Indonesian Ambassador to the UK and Ireland since February 2016. Jürgen Haacke is Director of the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre, within the Institute of Global Affairs at the LSE, and Associate Professor of International Relations. This is the first in a series of public lectures commemorating ASEAN’s 50th anniversary. Please click here for more details. The Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre (@LSESEAC) is a cross-disciplinary, regionally-focused academic centre within the Institute of Global Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science. SEAC is LSE’S gateway to understanding Southeast Asia.