ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia 29d ago

ERIA.org, 02 June 2026 | Southeast Asia’s governance landscape has undergone profound transformations over the past few decades, shaped by complex political transitions, economic integration, and evolving regional dynamics. The ERIA School of Government remains committed to fostering high-level discussions on governance, leadership, and diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Through its executive training programmes, leadership dialogues, and institutional memory initiatives, the ERIA School of Government provides a platform for thought leadership and policy development. The ERIA School of Government Leadership Lecture Series serves as a premier platform for distinguished leaders to share insights, experiences, and perspectives on governance, leadership, and regional cooperation. The series was inaugurated by H.E. Prof. Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the sixth President of Indonesia, with the objective of preserving ASEAN’s institutional memory and fostering regional learning through engagement with esteemed thought leaders. In line with this vision, the ERIA School of Government is honoured to host H.E. José Ramos-Horta, the fourth and seventh President of Timor-Leste, for a distinguished Leadership Lecture on 2 June 2026. The proposed lecture will focus on “Leadership in Dangerous Times: Human Rights, Nation-Building, and Regional Diplomacy.” At the same time, the ERIA School of Government remains open to His Excellency’s preferred themes or perspectives, provided they are broadly aligned with the School’s mission to advance governance, leadership, and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. His Excellency’s insights will serve as an invaluable resource for policymakers, scholars, and emerging leaders across the region. The Leadership Lecture aims to provide a high-level platform for in-depth discussions on governance, leadership, and regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. Drawing on H.E. José Ramos-Horta’s extensive experience, the lecture will offer valuable perspectives on post-conflict nation-building, democratic resilience, and small-state diplomacy, while promoting regional thought leadership on contemporary governance challenges. Furthermore, the event will contribute to preserving Southeast Asia’s institutional memory, ensuring that lessons drawn from past leadership experiences continue to inspire and guide future policymakers, scholars, and regional leaders. This Leadership Lecture forms part of the ERIA School of Government’s broader mission to strengthen governance in the region through policy discussions, executive training programmes, and leadership forums.