On 22 November 2010, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris hosted Irman Gusman, then President of the Indonesian Senate, accompanied by a delegation of Indonesian ministers. He was joined by Élisabeth Guigou, former French Minister of Social Affairs. The event, moderated by Renaud Girard with the assistance of philosopher Pascal Bruckner, provided a unique platform to connect Southeast Asian and European perspectives on governance and international affairs.

The programme began with a breakfast attended by politicians and journalists. Gusman spoke about Indonesia’s democratic transformation, its efforts to manage decentralisation and economic development, and the country’s increasing role within ASEAN. Guigou contributed insights from her European political experience, focusing on social policy, cohesion, and Europe’s engagement with emerging democracies.

A private lunch followed with politicians, diplomats, and policymakers, allowing for more in-depth exchanges. Discussions expanded beyond Indonesia’s domestic challenges to questions of regional security, global cooperation, and the importance of bridging diverse political traditions. The event reflected CPFA’s capacity to foster cross-regional dialogue on pressing international issues.