Who We Are
The South China Sea Council, as an independent think tank dedicated to the promotion of international peace, stability and constructive engagement; Consistent with Indonesia’s long-standing principles of an independent and active foreign policy.
We hold the view that sustainable political outcomes are most effectively achieved through peaceful, inclusive, and constitutional processes reflecting the will of the people concerned.
Background
The South China Sea Council (SCSC) was initiated by Norman Joesoef, Imam Sufaat, and Ade Muhammad as an independent strategic platform to promote dialogue, research, and public understanding on the future of the South China Sea region. The idea emerged from a shared vision that the South China Sea should not become a dividing factor in Asia, but rather a unifying factor that encourages cooperation, connectivity, and shared regional prosperity.
Inspired by the historical experience of European integration, particularly the role of the European Economic Community in laying the foundation for wider regional cooperation, SCSC was established to cultivate a similar spirit of regional awareness in the South China Sea context.
SCSC believes that the path toward cooperation in Asia cannot simply rely on Western approaches; it must be grounded in the Asian way of thinking and wisdom which values dialogue, balance, mutual respect, gradual consensus-building, and the preservation of harmony.
Through this perspective, SCSC seeks to strengthen cooperation among societies and stakeholders across the region in the fields of economy, culture, science, technology, maritime affairs, and people-to-people engagement. By bringing together senior figures from defense, diplomacy, academia, business, and strategic communications, SCSC aims to contribute to a more stable, constructive, and interconnected South China Sea region.
Marsekal TNI (Purn) Imam Sufaat, S.IP
Chairman of Council
Laksamana Madya TNI (Purn) Arie Soedewo, S.E
Council Member
Marsekal Madya TNI (Purn) Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja
Council Member
Prof. Dr. Anak Agung Banyu Perwita, M.A
Council Member
Dr. Ade Muhammad, M.Han
Council Member
Fransiscus X Wawolangi
Secretary General
Jasin Fadillah
Executive Director
Vision Statement
Toward a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Integrated South China Sea Region
Our vision is to cultivate the South China Sea as a maritime region defined by peace, mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and shared prosperity, transforming it from a space often shaped by rivalry into a bridge connecting civilizations, economies, and peoples across Asia and beyond.
SCSC envisions a regional order where maritime connectivity, economic collaboration, scientific advancement, environmental stewardship, and cultural understanding become the pillars of long-term stability and collective progress.
Mission Statement
Promoting Dialogue, Shaping Ideas, Building Cooperation
The mission of SCSC is to,
Serve as an independent strategic platform for dialogue among policymakers, defense leaders, diplomats, academics, business communities, and civil society stakeholders;
Advance research and policy innovation on maritime affairs, regional security, blue economy, environmental sustainability, and geopolitical transformation in the South China Sea,
Strengthen people-to-people and institution-to-institution connectivity across the region through intellectual exchange, cultural diplomacy, and collaborative initiatives;
Encourage peaceful dispute management through dialogue, confidence-building measures, and constructive regional engagement grounded in international law and mutual respect;
Contribute strategic ideas for regional architecture building, reflecting Asian wisdom, inclusiveness, and cooperative security.
Core Values
SCSC upholds five core values, Independence, Dialogue, Mutual Respect, Strategic Wisdom, and Shared Prosperity.
Independence
SCSC maintains intellectual autonomy and strategic impartiality, guided solely by the pursuit of peace, stability, and constructive regional engagement.
Dialogue
We believe meaningful dialogue remains the most effective instrument for reducing tensions, building trust, and shaping durable solutions.
Mutual Respect
Every nation, large or small possesses equal dignity and legitimate interests that deserve recognition within a balanced regional framework.
Strategic Wisdom
SCSC promotes policy thinking rooted not only in geopolitical realism, but also in historical awareness, cultural understanding, and long-term vision.
Shared Prosperity
Regional peace is sustainable only when cooperation produces tangible benefits for all societies.
Strategic Pillars / Program Areas
A. Maritime Peace & Security
We promote, confidence building mechanisms, strategic dialogue, maritime governance, and cooperative security frameworks.
B. Blue Economy & Sustainable Development
Advancing fisheries cooperation, marine renewable energy, seabed resource governance, sustainable shipping, and ocean innovation.
C. Strategic Diplomacy & Regional Architecture
Supporting Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy, strategic forums, and new ideas for Indo-Pacific regional cooperation.
D. Science, Technology & Innovation
Encouraging joint research in marine science, digital connectivity, climate resilience, AI for maritime governance, and ocean technology.
E. Cultural & Civilizational Connectivity
Strengthening cultural exchange, educational partnerships, youth leadership networks, and people-to-people diplomacy.
F. Strategic Communication & Public Understanding
Building informed regional discourse through publications, media engagement, conferences, and policy dialogues.
Founding Declaration
The Spirit of SCSC
“We believe the South China Sea must not become a permanent theater of rivalry, mistrust, or fragmentation. It must instead emerge as a maritime commons of cooperation, where nations engage in dialogue rather than confrontation, where prosperity is shared rather than contested, and where peace is preserved as a collective responsibility.”
“The future of Asia should not be written by conflict, but by wisdom, not by coercion, but by consent, not by exclusion, but by partnership.”
“Through strategic dialogue, independent thought, and constructive engagement, the South China Sea Council commits itself to advancing a peaceful and interconnected regional future for generations to come.”