Yogyakarta hosts democracy congress

YOGYAKARTA: Hundreds of prodemocracy (Prodem) activists from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will gather for a two-day congres on democracy in Yogyakarta to unify their movement to achieve democracy in the country.

Prodem chairman Effendi Saman said on Friday that his group did not want to portray itself as the only organization that was striving for democracy here.

"We welcome any party that is willing to enter into a dialog with us and help our movement become stronger," he said.

Effendi said that the congres would hold a public dialog presenting distinguished politician Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and prominent lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution.

Effendi said that the congress would select 99 participants to become democracy campaigners who would talk about democracy in many regions throughout the country.

"The participants come from different professional backgrounds, places of origin and cultures. By means of this selection we hope that we can accelerate the country's democratization process," he said. --Antara