Asia Foundation honors eight reformers<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Eight Indonesians from all walks of life won on Thursday the Asia
\nFoundation's 50th Anniversary Award for their contribution to
\ndemocratic reforms in the country.<\/p>\n
The Asia Foundation, a non-governmental organization committed
\nto the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and open Asia-
\nPacific region, extended its awards to mark its 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The director of the Liberal Islamic Network (JIL), Ulil Abshar
\nAbdalla, was cited for his work towards attaining democratic and
\nreligious tolerance in Indonesia by forming and leading
\norganizations to promote religious diversity.<\/p>\n
\"No one, anywhere in the world, has been able to achieve
\nprogress among the people without having to face controversy,\"
\nfoundation representative to Indonesia Douglas Ramage said.<\/p>\n
Agung Pambudi, the executive secretary of the Monitoring
\nCommittee for Regional Autonomy (KPPOD), received an award for
\nhis economic work for his efforts since 1998 to boost economic
\ngrowth by intensifying investment in the region.<\/p>\n
Another winner was the president of Jakarta's State Islamic
\nUniversity (UIN), Azyumardi Azra, who the foundation said had
\nextensively developed the curriculum of the university, which had
\nset a world-class standard for reform and innovation in
\neducation.<\/p>\n
The Muslim scholar was not present at the ceremony and was
\nrepresented by one of his family members.<\/p>\n
The award for legal reforms went to three recipients: Ibrahim
\nAssegaf, founder of a website hukumonline.com; Bivitri Susanti,
\nexecutive director of the Center of Law and Policy Studies
\n(PSHK); and Rifqi Assegaf, executive secretary of the Institute
\nfor an Independent Judiciary (LeIP).<\/p>\n
The three were cited for supporting the Indonesian judiciary
\ninstitutions' drive to implement reforms, helping legislators to
\nintensify the process of creating laws in accordance with
\npeople's expectations and broadening legal access for
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
Santoso, the chairman of the Alliance of Independent
\nJournalists (AJI), received the award in the media freedom
\ncategory for his efforts to make satellite transmission
\ntechnology available to all radio stations in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, who is currently on a visit to the
\nNetherlands, received the award in the women's rights category.
\nA member of the House of Representatives and the Legal Aid
\nFoundation-Indonesian Women's Association for Justice, she was
\ncited for her campaign to make political parties reserve 30
\npercent of their list candidates for women in the 2004
\nlegislative election.<\/p>\n
The Asia Foundation stated aim is to achieve the improvement
\nof governance and law, economic reform and development, women's
\nempowerment and international relations in countries in the
\nregion.<\/p>\n
With an office Indonesia for the last 30 years, it has put its
\nemphasis on supporting Islamic organizations and women's rights-
\nrelated issues. (004)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asia-foundation-honors-eight-reformers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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