KID discusses public services

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID) held its first roundtable discussion on Thursday in Jakarta, one day after it was officially launched.

The democratization of public services in education and health was the topic of the discussion held at the Regent Hotel.

KID plans to hold a series of six discussions over the next six months. Each of the discussions will be attended by about 60 participants from Jakarta, outside Jakarta and outside Java.

Noted sociologist Ignas Kleden, who is chairman of KID, said during the launch of the non-governmental organization on Wednesday night that democracy required tireless effort and enormous initiative.

"The temptation to act in undemocratic ways or even in antidemocratic ways has always been stronger than our good will," he said.

KID is supported by the Netherlands-based Institute for Multiparty Democracy, which is doing similar work in 20 other countries including in Africa and Latin America. -- JP