Indonesia's high median flourishing score in the Global Flourishing Study has sparked curiosity and skepticism. While the country ranks low on the World Happiness rankings, it excels in the flourishing index due to its emphasis on meaning, purpose, and social connection. Indonesian society's deep religiousness and high marriage rates may contribute to this. However, economic challenges and religious polarization in the country should not be overlooked. The establishment of the Indonesia-Australia Human Flourishing Centre offers an opportunity to learn from countries in the Global South that score highly on the flourishing index. This collaboration can promote integrated frameworks of human flourishing and tackle interconnected social, well-being, and environmental challenges. Personally, I think that the study of flourishing in Indonesia highlights the importance of meaning and purpose in human development, and the role of religion and community in promoting well-being. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for a more holistic approach to human development, one that goes beyond individualistic and materialistic biases. In my opinion, the collaboration between Australian Catholic University and Universitas Gadjah Mada is a step in the right direction, and I am eager to see the insights and initiatives that will arise from this partnership.
