It was not only the economy that brought Indoneia under the international spotlight: its entire society is experiencing dramatic changes where new energies combine themselves with transformations. Enterpreneurship can better express its potential, public opinion is playing an important role, and democracy is beoming a value, and not simply a tool, impacting parliamentarianism as a strong acquisition. This process might be complex and sometimes slow, but it is steady in its path. The season of reforms is now mature and inescapable. Indonesia has overcome a bitter period, when the constrains of the Cold War were more important than fighting the backwardness of the country.

Both Italy and Indonesia are G20 members and do not show any animosity or post-colonial resentment. Their economies are complementary and mutual trade and investment are growing consistently. Globalization has given way to the right conditions for fostering a bi-lateral relationship, in line with the history and the weight of the two countries.

The volume, published by AREL – Il Mulino, was edited by Romeo Orlandi, Sinologist and Professor of Oriental Economics and Globalization at the University of Bologna. Professor Orlandi is also Vice President of the ASEAN-Italy Association, founded in 2015 to provide the Italian Country System with tools for knowledge and work in a global context that sees ASEAN as the world’s most important area for growth and development.