The idea of forming an association for regional science in Indonesia goes back to the mid 1980s, when the Pacific Regional Science Conference Organization (PRSCO) conducted an international regional science seminar in Bandung. However, a serious discussion to form the Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA) did not happen until Budy and Geoffrey Hewings organized a meeting on December 12, 1996, at the World Bank, Lippo Plaza, Jakarta. Towards the end of the meeting, the IRSA Working Committee was formed. The main task of the Committee was to prepare the formation of IRSA.
On March 13, 1997, at the Sahid Hotel, Jakarta, the Working Committee hosted a gathering of those concerned with the development of regional science in Indonesia. A declaration to form an association was put forth and signed. The signing of this declaration marked the formal inauguration of the Indonesian Regional Science Association (IRSA). At the meeting, the IRSA Formatur - a group of people whose task was to choose the first president of IRSA - was formed.
Around August 1997, Prof Bambang Bintoro Soedjito was elected as the first president of IRSA. On October 22-23, 1998, Bambang Brodjonegoro organized the 1st IRSA International Conference at the President Hotel, Jakarta. Budy P. Resosudarmo organized the second IRSA International Conference on February 28, 2000, at the Kempinski Hotel, Jakarta. Since then IRSA has been annually organizing its conferences.
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