Scholars to launch democracy training agency
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
After two years of soul-searching, a Netherlands-based institute is set to launch a democracy facilitator agency led by leading academicians and professionals.
The Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) will sponsor the setting up of the Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID) on Oct. 27, with the goal to train and educate young leaders in the region, particularly at regental level.
KID will be based in Jakarta and will be spearheaded by a nine-member steering committee, but, in three years, it will set up similar committees in five regions, including North Sumatra, Banten, East Java, South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara. The regions were picked up because of their respective distinct characteristics, according to prominent sociologist Ignas Kleden, who heads the national committee.
"The training in democracy will be institutionalized and sustained in nature, with the final goal of educating and implementing democracy," Ignas said here.
Ignas was accompanied by other committee members, including vice chairman Daniel Sparingga, treasurer Tamrin Tomagola, secretary-general Ratih Hardjono and members Kresnayana Yahya, Qasim Mathar, Anita Lie and Ruhaini Dzuhayatin. Another member, psychologist Supra Wimbarti was absent.
"The target of the training will be local democratic young politicians, not government officials nor political party members," said Tamrin Tamagola.
Ignas said, among the long-term goals of KID would be to help the public strengthen civil society in line with the goals of political parties, and to raise consciousness that democracy is a form of interaction between political institutions, politicians, the business community and the people.
Among the reasons cited for the launching of the agency was good timing -- the country will have a new president soon -- and the observable growth of civil society in many regions.
Sitting on the advisory board are prominent democracy figures, including Rahman Tolleng, Asmara Nababan, Ichlasul Amal, Mohtar Mas'oed, Azyumardi Azra, Arbi Sanit, Mochtar Pabottingi and Soetandio Wignjosoebroto.
The nine steering-committee members were picked by the IMD based on surveys throughout the regions. With the credential of holding programs in democracy in 20 other countries, notably in Africa and Latin America, the IMD will fund the Indonesia project in the initial three-year period, Ignas said. KID will be the first program of its kind in Southeast Asia.
North Sumatra was picked because it is a multi-ethnic region, and is regarded as having a central role in Western Indonesia. Likewise, South Sulawesi was picked because it is seen as holding a central role in Eastern Indonesia. Banten was picked because it is a new province that faces many challenges. East Java was picked because it is the biggest province on Java island with the highest rate of economic growth. East Nusa Tenggara was picked as it represents a myriad of problems typical of those faced by the country, but in microcosm.