Demands for change should be heard<\/p>\n
During the dialog that took place this week between World Bank
\npresident James D. Wolfensohn and a number of prominent
\nIndonesian personalities, one topic stood out. Indonesian
\nprofessionals at the meeting expressed disappointment with the
\nWorld Bank saying the institution seemed to close its eyes to
\nmany of the problems afflicting the countries it was assisting,
\nincluding Indonesia. The World Bank, experts and observers at the
\nmeeting said, has shown a lack of concern for issues such as
\nopenness, human rights, government accountability and
\nconservation and protection of the environment.<\/p>\n
In focussing on the achievement of economic growth in the
\ncountries it was assisting, the Indonesian professionals said the
\nWorld Bank was ignoring one other dimension of development -- the
\nnurturing of political institutions including those that affect
\nlegislation, recognition of human rights, environmental
\nprotection and the establishment of democratic mechanisms and
\nstructures to ensure effective social controls.<\/p>\n
Indeed, a development strategy that fails to take the people
\ninto account and allow them to actively participate in the
\nprocess does have the potential of encouraging etatism, a
\nsituation in which everything is determined by the state. In such
\na condition, the people are mere objects and practically all
\ntheir aspirations and demands are meaningless.<\/p>\n
It is, therefore, understandable that in the present crisis --
\nand considering the spirit of the times and society -- there is
\nnow a growing demand for good governance, greater transparency,
\ngreater accountability and a greater consideration for the
\npeople's political and human rights and the environment. The time
\nhas perhaps come for us to pay greater attention to the wishes of
\nthe people so this nation may find a better life in the future.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/demands-for-change-should-be-heard-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }