The process of treaty-making in Southeast Asia, especially during the period of foreign intervention, presents a complex historical narrative marked by power imbalances and inherent biases due to the asymmetrical nature of negotiations

This seminar explores how academic research can influence policy, with a focus on land governance in Indonesia. It highlights the impact of research at Leiden University on the World Bank’s $653 million Indonesia - Integrated Land Administration and Spatial Planning (ILASP) project, which integrates flexible approaches to registering customary and indigenous land.