Archive: 29 December 2002
79 articles found
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/6/INTRO
JP/6/INTROBoth support and opposition have highlighted the journey of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), since its inception back in 1993.Certain sectors of the public support AFTA due to the fact that AFTA, which aims at stamping out trade barriers within the region, would expedite the flow of...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/6/WINAHYO
JP/6/WINAHYO Indosat, good governance and paper companiesWinahyo Soekanto Lawyer Consumer Care Foundation Jakarta winahyo@yahoo.com At least on paper, the controversial sale of 41.9 percent of government shares of Indosat to Singapore telecommunications firm Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT)...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Rufriadi weeps over justice in Aceh
Rufriadi weeps over justice in Aceh It was still fresh in the mind of Rufriadi, 28, when a number of uniformed members of the security apparatus raided his Legal Aid Institute (LBH) office in Aceh earlier this year.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA work
Economic integration in Southeast Asia: Making AFTA workPuspa Delima Amri Centre fore Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) JakartaThe year 2002 marked an important era for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, as they embarked on the long evolving plan to realize the...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/15/VOLKER
JP/15/VOLKERIf you go Where: The Pinglin Tea Industry Museum is located at 19-1 Songchi Keng, Shuiteh Village, Pinglin Township, Taipei County (about 40- kilometers southeast of the capital). The museum runs a shuttle bus service to and from central Taipei.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
This article is provided by the Japanese embassy
This article is provided by the Japanese embassyThe Ambassador's View on Bilateral Relations Question: What impression have you gained when you look back at the period of four months after your arrival in Indonesia to take up your assignment?Answer : After taking up my duty here, I held a series of...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Jakartans learn to love classical music
Jakartans learn to love classical musicBeccy Ann, Contributor, Jakarta Entitled the Popstravaganza Holiday Concert, the performance by the Twilite Orchestra on Dec. 18 was packed with an audience of some 750 people.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Garin's new film cements his reputation
Garin's new film cements his reputationJoko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta Aku Ingin Menciummu Sekali Saja (I Want to Kiss You Just Once a.k.a. The Bird Man Tale) **1/2 (out of ****); Drama, 90 minutes; Starring Lulu Tobing, Octavianus Rysiat, Sonya Baransano, Minus Karoba, Adi Kurdi; Written and...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Celebrating Christmas with the handicapped
Celebrating Christmas with the handicappedPrimatmojo Djanoe, Contributor, Jakarta What is on your mind when Christmas is just around the corner? The beautiful and melodious Christmas carols that are sung to praise Jesus Christ? The lights from Christmas trees which twinkle luminously as if inviting...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE This article is provided by the Japanese embassy"Walk together, advance together" Indonesia is not only has a close historic relationship with Japan but also maintains close relations in trade and investment.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Another muddling through scenario
Another muddling through scenarioMuhammad Chatib Basri How do we mark the economic performance in 2002 and what is the prospect for 2003? The average real GDP growth (y-o-y) up to the third quarter of 2002 was recorded at 3.4 percent.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Indonesia still respect
Indonesia still respect the "one China policy" Jusuf Wanandi Founder and Member Board of Trustees Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta If there is one country that understands more fully what China's "one-China policy" means, that country is Indonesia.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
TV Program: Sunday, December 29, 2002
TV Program: Sunday, December 29, 2002TVRI 6:00 a.m. News7:30 Sports8:00 Documentary8:30 Children's Program9:00 Film10:30 Children's Program11:00 Maskum Show12:30 p.m. Traditional Comedy2:00 Music3:00 Documentary4:00 Variety Show5:00 Sports6:00 News7:00 TV Drama7:30 Variety Show9:00 News9:30...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Act Together, Advance Together
Act Together, Advance Together Indonesia not only has a close historic relationship with Japan, but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's commitment to further assist Indonesia in...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Kalipke worries over Sakai survival
Kalipke worries over Sakai survivalHaidir Anwar Tanjung The Jakarta Post Pekanbaru, Riau Few Indonesians are interested in the diverse number of tribes living in the country's hinterland, much less in the origins of the Malay dialect, which is the base of Indonesia's national language.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
New secretary general at crucial point for ASEAN
New secretary general at crucial point for ASEAN Chin Kin Wah Senior Fellow Institute of Southeast Asian Studies The Straits Times Asian News Network Singapore The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will have a new man in Jakarta next month when Ong Keng Yong, press secretary to Prime...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Power politics 2003
Power politics 2003 Chusnul Mar'iyahThe years that followed the epochal students, civil society and political victory in 1998 were a lonely time for realists in Indonesia. The 1999 election, for instance, had a bad impact on Indonesian politics.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/6/INTRO
JP/6/INTROBoth support and opposition have highlighted the journey of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), since its inception back in 1993.Certain sectors of the public support AFTA due to the fact that AFTA, which aims at stamping out trade barriers within the region, would expedite the flow of...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Language and
Language and disintegrationFrom KompasKompas published a report on Nov. 20 referring to the need to be Sundanese as one criterion for the selection of public officials. The news attributed as its source a proposal of the Justice Mandate (ABDI) faction, which was responding to a West Java regional...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004
Consolidation of democracy: Anticipating 2004Smita Notosusanto Cetro Next year, is the fifth anniversary of the end of the Soeharto regime which marked Indonesia's transition from authoritarianism to democracy.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Taiwan replies
Taiwan replies This is in response to Jusuf Wanandi's article Indonesia still respects the one China policy which appeared in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 23, 2002.President Chen's planned visit to Bali and Yogyakarta was a response to your government's call for international help after the terrorist...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
The private capture of common good
The private capture of common goodB. Herry-Priyono Driyarkara School of Philosophy Jakarta The year 2002 began with torrential floods battering Jakarta and many other cities. Nature cares nothing for our logic; she has her own, which we do not acknowledge until we are crushed under her wheel.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Enjoying Spas in Sleman Regency
Enjoying Spas in Sleman RegencyIt is every one's dream to become an appealing individual with a perfect shape both physically and mentally. Appearing fit and healthy is a necessity for all the people no matter who they are.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE JAPAN: DECEMBER 23 Information on study in Japan The Japanese government is making efforts to increase the number of foreign students studying in Japan as a way to nurture and strengthen friendships with other countries.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Prospect for law enforcement in 2003
Prospect for law enforcement in 2003Satya Arinanto Lecturer and Deputy Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.idThe discourse on law enforcement usually starts from the issue of the legal system. According to Lawrence M.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Budiono leads detikcom out of the storm
Budiono leads detikcom out of the stormFitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta This year's Idul Fitri holiday season gave workaholics, such as Budiono Darsono, a rare break. Budiono deserved the extended rest from Dec. 5 to Dec.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Sipon: He ain't heavy, he's my husband
Sipon: He ain't heavy, he's my husbandEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sipon, now 35, was only a humble factory laborer when she met Wiji Thukul. She led a plain and modest life until she became personally involved and ended up marrying the rebellious poet.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Bantarto Bandoro
Bantarto Bandoro Editor The Indonesian Quarterly CSIS bandoro@csis.or.idAre bilateral relations important for a country beset by multidimensional national problems, like Indonesia? The answer is definitely yes; they are as important as any other form of international cooperation.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Crush GAM if
Crush GAM if they betrayThe public was shocked to learn from the army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu that the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had shot Acehnese and members of the Indonesian military. According to the Indonesian military, since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Oscar gives peek of 2003 couture collection
Oscar gives peek of 2003 couture collectionMaria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Flowing fabrics, color combinations, beautiful colored beads, stones and shinny paillettes were the decorative details that accentuated the feminine silhouettes at the recent show by fashion designer Oscar...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
AFTA: A wake-up call for RI business
AFTA: A wake-up call for RI businessA'an Suryana and Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ira Murweni, a 34-year old housewife, strolled along an aisle in a supermarket in South Jakarta. To meet her family's needs, she goes shopping at least twice a month.She recalled an interesting discovery.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Reinventing globalization
Reinventing globalizationYanuar Nugroho Director The Business Watch IndonesiaIf there is one word that has been the most frequently mentioned by people around the world over the past three to five years, it has been globalization.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Don't lose
Don't lose more islandsFrom Media Indonesia My heart broke to learn that, whatever the reasons, Indonesia had lost East Timor. And I found it strange that Abdurrahman Wahid -- when he was president -- changed the name of Irian Jaya to Papua, a phenomenon that I believe has the potential to cause...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
M. Riefqi Muna
M. Riefqi MunaMember, Supervisory Group Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR) riefqi@gmx.net Jakarta Indonesia is the largest maritime or archipelagic state in the world. The legal framework recognizing this status follows Indonesia's ratification of the United Nations...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Living with another lean year
Living with another lean yearIndonesia is going to add another pale year into its post- Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was damaged again severely following the Bali Bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia has become to acts of terrorism.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Companies hold
Companies hold women hostage Reading a Kompas' article of Dec. 21 , 2002 entitled Some 1000 migrant workers are illegally kept I can't help wondering why a Tumbu Saraswati, who is a lawyer and also member of House of Representatives, cannot do anything about a blatant legal violation right in front...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Fostering friendship
Fostering friendship Flipping through several programs on private television stations, I caught sight of a program titled Messages from American Muslims Institution for Friendship, which was probably intended to foster friendship among Muslims in America and Indonesia, or which, perhaps, depicts...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
'Bajaj' cause
'Bajaj' cause traffic congestionFrom Warta Kota In my opinion, the traffic congestion around the Mayestic Market/Taman Puring in South Jakarta is attributable to the presence of bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicles).
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Developments in the Union of Myanmar
Developments in the Union of Myanmar The Union of Myanmar, presently is a country in a state of change and transformation. Fundamental changes have taken place in the country. The single party system and the centrally planned economic system have been abandoned in favor of multi-party system with a...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Message from the Ambassador
Message from the Ambassador On this auspicious occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I have great pleasure to convey warmest greetings and best wishes of the Government and the people of the Union of Myanmar to the Government and people of the Republic of...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Indonesia keen to redeem itself in final against Thailand
Indonesia keen to redeem itself in final against ThailandArya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is ready to avenge its defeat in the last tournament and to lift the cup for the first time when it plays Thailand in the Tiger Cup 2002 final match at Bung Karno Stadium here on Sunday.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Corruption of the Republic
Corruption of the RepublicB. Herry-Priyono Driyarkara School of Philosophy Jakarta The herd of that social vice called corruption rumbles on unabated. The year 2002 has seen a rapid escalation of this contagion, even though the chorus of criticism grows louder.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
On the Shelves
On the Shelves Supernova -- Akar (Supernova -- Root); Dee; Truedee Books, Jakarta, 2002; xii + 209 pages; Rp 45,000Running under the sophisticated conversations and theories about science and philosophy in last year's hit Supernova -- Ksatria, Puteri dan Bintang Jatuh (Supernova -- Knight, Princess...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Lim Wasim, Sukarno's forgotten palace artist
Lim Wasim, Sukarno's forgotten palace artistLila Fitri Aly, Contributor, Jakarta When everything related to Indonesia's first president Sukarno was virtually banished from public view, palace artist Lim Wasim also seemed to disappear from memory.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Garin's new movie speaks for his reputation
Garin's new movie speaks for his reputationAku Ingin Menciummu Sekali Saja (I Want to Kiss You Just Once a.k.a. The Bird Man Tale) **1/2 (out of ****) Drama, 90 minutes Starring Lulu Tobing, Octavianus Rysiat, Sonya Baransano, Minus Karoba, Adi Kurdi Written and Directed by Garin Nugroho A SET Film...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishment
GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishmentIt is virtually unimaginable to many people in Ambon, or in Maluku province in general, that amid the escalating sectarian conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted billions of rupiah in material losses, there is still a group...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Act Together, Advance Together
Act Together, Advance Together Indonesia not only has a close historic relationship with Japan, but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's commitment to further assist Indonesia in...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Bali hotels fully booked, Garuda adds on extra flights
Bali hotels fully booked, Garuda adds on extra flightsRita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali The holiday season has brought new hope to Bali's ailing tourist industry, as thousands of domestic and foreign visitors have again booked flights, hotels and bungalows to celebrate the coming...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
GAM not only for Acehnese; peace and prosperity top rebel wish list
GAM not only for Acehnese; peace and prosperity top rebel wish listNani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Tamiang, Aceh Fatigued after a long journey, four journalists, one from The Jakarta Post, received a fright when a gunman suddenly stepped out from behind some trees near Paya Reyeuk, a remote village...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year 2003
ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year 2003 (Nihon-ASEAN Koryunen 2003) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed to designate the year 2003 as the "ASEAN - Japan Exchange Year" during his visit to Southeast Asian countries last January.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Constitutional amendments
Constitutional amendmentsSatya Arinanto Lecture and Vice Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.idOne of the biggest legal issues during 2002 -- and the years immediately preceding it -- was the question of further amending the 1945 Constitution.According to S.E.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Essential services in 2003: Who owns (and thus, trades) our life?
Essential services in 2003: Who owns (and thus, trades) our life?Yanuar Nugroho Director The Business Watch IndonesiaLife is a game of power. The powerful rulers have their power not because others want it, but because the former use the latter for their own benefit.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/20/IMAGE
JP/20/IMAGEChristmas all the way Text and Photos by Tarko Sudiarno Just like everywhere around the globe, Christmas for farmers living on the slope of Mountain Merapi, in Wates village in Magelang, Central Java is also a jovial celebration.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/20/IMAGE
JP/20/IMAGEChristmas all the way Text and Photos by Tarko Sudiarno Just like everywhere else in the world, Christmas for farmers living on the slopes of Mount Merapi, in Wates village, Magelang, Central Java, is also a time for jovial celebration.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Constitutional amendments
Constitutional amendments Satya Arinanto Lecture and Vice Dean School of Law University of Indonesia Jakarta arinanto@cbn.net.id One of the biggest legal issues during 2002 -- and the years immediately preceding it -- was the question of further amending the 1945 Constitution.According to S.E.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our
As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our loyal readers with a wide variety of yearend articles covering the main issues that have been dominating the life of the country for the past 12 months.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Chinese motorcycles find local market a bumpy ride
Chinese motorcycles find local market a bumpy ridePeter Janssen, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Jakarta Motor industry pundits predicted not long ago that Chinese motorcycles would this year grab 50 percent of the Indonesian market.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia
The politics of Muslims-Christian relations in Indonesia Bob S. Hadiwinata Head International Relations Department, University of Parahyangan, Bandung Open conflict between the majority Muslims and minority Christians has been rare in Indonesian history.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN - DECEMBER 23
FOR COUNTRY PROFILE: JAPAN - DECEMBER 23Promoting friendship through cultural exchange programs The Japan Foundation, more popularly known in Indonesia as Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang, or the Japan Culture Center, is a semi- governmental, nonprofit organization that carries out the task of promoting...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
'We can't escape globalization anymore'
'We can't escape globalization anymore'The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Teni Wahyuningsih, 20, a business administration student at Bandung's Padjadjaran University:The full implementation of AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) next year is kind of a dilemma for us.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Fitri Wulandari
Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post JakartaSamsung has seen rosy days in Indonesia, despite the economic woes that have plagued many electronics producers here in recent years.While many players in the electronics industry struggled to cope with a variety of problems, including weakening demand,...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Living with another lean year
Living with another lean yearIndonesia is going to add another pale year to its post-Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was severely damaged again after the Bali bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia had become to acts of terrorism.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Challenges in public services delivery
Challenges in public services deliveryYanuar Nugroho Director, The Business Watch Indonesia Lecturer, Sahid University in Surakarta Researcher, Uni Sosial Demokrat Jakarta Clean water, health care and access to energy are the three most essential of basic human needs, with education perhaps the...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Act Together, Advance Together
Act Together, Advance Together Indonesia not only has a close historic relationship with Japan, but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's commitment to further assist Indonesia in...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Living with another lean year
Living with another lean yearIndonesia is going to add another pale year to its post-Soeharto era. Its already tarnished image as a state was severely damaged again after the Bali bombing, which demonstrated undeniably how vulnerable Indonesia had become to acts of terrorism.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our
As was the case in 2001, this year we are happy to provide our loyal readers with a wide variety of yearend articles covering the main issues that have been dominating the life of the country for the past 12 months.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
The Jakarta Post
The Jakarta Post Jakarta Consumer confidence in the country significantly dropped in November following the Bali bombing, but the terrorist attack failed to impact consumers' shopping plans, according to a survey.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Restoring public trust in the media
Restoring public trust in the media Thomas Hanitzsch Technische Universitat Ilmenau Germany As we come closer to the end of the year, media practitioners and researchers tend to reflect and ask themselves: Was 2002 a good year for the Indonesian media scene?Economically, yes it was! Even though the...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Police gaining momentum but need further reform
Police gaining momentum but need further reformM. Riefqi Muna Member of Supervisory Group of the U.K.-based Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR). riefqi@gmx.netIn the beginning of 2002 the police had at their disposal a new law on national police that gave them greater...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Maritime issues must be given more attention
Maritime issues must be given more attentionPhilips J Vermonte CSISThe end of the Cold War and the event of Sept. 11, 2001 have substantially changed the landscape of international politics. Issues such as trade liberalization, democracy and environmental protection have become prominent.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Where have all the foodies eaten this year?
Where have all the foodies eaten this year?Kenny Santana, Contributor, Jakarta The end of the year has always been the perfect time to look back and reflect. And the food scene is no exception. You could say that the food scene in 2002 was like flowing water: Calm, no waves, just drifting.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
POLICE REFORM: Japanese police advisors assist Indonesian
POLICE REFORM: Japanese police advisors assist Indonesian National Police Reform through a pilot project on enhancement of civilian police activities (crime scene identification and communication and command control for police deployment) at Bekasi Police Resort, Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Techno-ethics: Dealing with ambivalence of advancements
Techno-ethics: Dealing with ambivalence of advancementsYanuar Nugroho Member Board of ELSPPAT (Institute for Development Studies & Technological Assistance) Bogor, West Java In the field of science and technology, globalization will contribute significantly to mark 2003 as the year when...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Keelty wants regional police summit
Keelty wants regional police summit AUSTRALIA: The country's top police officer said on Saturday he would like to convene a summit of regional Asian police forces to improve cooperation for fighting possible terrorist attacks.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
JP/7/DHARMA
JP/7/DHARMA For better living standards, foreign investment is not the answer Siwage Dharma Negara Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Jakarta The continuing decline of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia has led to a drop in total FDI approvals by 11 percent for the first nine months...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Bali hotels fully booked, Garuda puts on extra flights
Bali hotels fully booked, Garuda puts on extra flightsRita A. Widiadana The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali The holiday season has brought new hope to Bali's ailing tourist industry, as thousands of domestic and foreign visitors have again booked flights, hotels and bungalows to celebrate the coming...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Wife of human rights activist shot at Papua-PNG border
Wife of human rights activist shot at Papua-PNG borderNethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura JAKARTA (JP): Unidentified men shot the wife of a human rights activist near an immigration post near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Renomination of Lt. Gen.(ret) Sutiyoso, Approved Sutiyoso's,
Renomination of Lt. Gen.(ret) Sutiyoso, Approved Sutiyoso's, a suspect in the bloody takeover of renomination, sacked Megawati-led PDI's headquarters in 1996, dissident Tarmidi as Jakarta governor Suharjo Corruption involving House of Representative Allowed legal Speaker Akbar Tandjung process...
Sun, 29 Dec 2002
Indonesia and ASEAN must move on together
Indonesia and ASEAN must move on togetherPhilips J Vermonte CSIS In the past three decades, ASEAN has been the corner stone of Indonesia's foreign policy. But, things have changed rapidly, triggered by the economic crisis and its severe consequences starting from 1997.