Seminar on decentralization

JAKARTA (JP): The University of Indonesia, in cooperation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, will hold a two-day international seminar on decentralization here next week.

The seminar, slated for March 20 and 21, will feature international experts with extensive experience in China, Russia, Brazil and other Latin American countries, Eastern Europe, South Asia and the Philippines as well as Indonesian experts as speakers.

The speakers will evaluate Indonesia's plans for decentralization of power and finance in light of international experience, the World Bank's country director for Indonesia, Mark Baird, said in a statement.

"Given Indonesia's size, and economic and ethnic diversity, Indonesia could benefit tremendously by decentralization ... provided that it is well-planned, well-managed and well-timed. But the developed world knows few decentralization success stories, so Indonesia needs to proceed with judgment," Baird said.