The Republic Conference, initiated and attended by hundreds of civil\nsociety organisations, activists, and academics, was held at Gadjah Mada\nUniversity (UGM) on Saturday, 30 May 2026. Yanuar Nugroho,\nSecretary-General of the Republic Conference Committee, stated the forum\nwas created as a platform for civil society to express concerns about\nthe nation\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n
\u2018The Republic Conference aims to bridge the gap between various\nanxious civil society groups,\u2019 he said when contacted on Sunday, 31 May\n2026.<\/p>\n
He noted that civil space is increasingly shrinking, with concerns\nnot only felt by academics but also media practitioners, activists,\nentrepreneurs, SME operators, and even bureaucrats.<\/p>\n
Amid societal anxieties, he added, civil space is narrowing further.\n\u2018Various civil society groups often feel isolated,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Yanuar said the Republic Conference forums aim to connect\nand bring together civil society groups sharing similar concerns about\nthe nation\u2019s state. The goal, he added, is to facilitate encounters,\ndiscussions, and a sense of shared purpose.<\/p>\n
\u2018Ultimately, to act collectively as civil society,\u2019 said the founder\nof Nalar Institute.<\/p>\n
Yanuar explained that the Republic Conference forums would be held\nacross various regions of Indonesia. Follow-up actions from these\nmeetings, he said, would depend on local dynamics.<\/p>\n
Each region has its own agenda for the conference, making it\nautonomous, he added. Moreover, the conference is organised\nindependently through participants\u2019 collective efforts.<\/p>\n
\u2018Everything is a community effort, with contributions. No sponsors,\u2019\nhe said.<\/p>\n
At the UGM meeting in late May, the forum concluded that civil space\nis shrinking under President Prabowo Subianto\u2019s administration. Yanuar\nstated collective efforts are needed to safeguard civil space.<\/p>\n
\u2018Indonesian civil society feels the need to organise and consolidate\nto ensure shrinking civil space becomes a space for citizens again,\u2019 he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Civil space is narrowing, he said, evident in the absence of public\nconsultation space, procedural democracy practices, and formalistic\nparticipation. \u2018This is due to state repression that views public\ncriticism and input as threats,\u2019 Yanuar said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is also grappling with issues due to suboptimal development\nimplementation. Yanuar said the government\u2019s weak capacity for\ndevelopment stems from widespread conflicts of interest and\nincompetence.<\/p>\n
\u2018Including the demise of meritocracy and technocracy, alongside\nrampant corruption,\u2019 Yanuar added.<\/p>\n
Attendees included figures such as Jaleswari Pramodhawardani from Lab\n45, former Lemhannas Governor Andi Widjajanto, UGM FISIPOL Sociologist\nArie Sujito, Father Leo Kleden from IFTK Ledalero, Alissa Wahid of\nJaringan Gusdurian, UGM HTN Professor Zainal Arifin Mochtar, Bhima\nYudhistira of CELIOS, Titi Anggraini of Perludem, Victoria Fanggidae of\nThe Prakarsa, former KPK Commissioner Chandra Hamzah, and Yanuar Nugroho\nof Nalar Institute.<\/p>\n
Seven panels were organised to discuss various thematic issues at the\nRepublic Conference forum, including models of public participation\ninstitutionalisation, national civil society consolidation strategies,\neconomic justice and economic democracy, rule of law and\nanti-corruption, ecological crisis and growth limits, knowledge\ndemocratisation, and active and deliberative citizenship models.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/civil-society-groups-convene-at-ugm-to-address-shrinking-democratic-space-1780287108", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }