ID :
34974
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 20:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/34974
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BDF NOT INTENDED TO PROMOTE ANY PARTICULAR MODEL OF DEMOCRACY
Nusa Dua, Bali, Dec 10 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the Bali Democracy Forum organized by Indonesia was not intended to impose a particular model of democracy on other countries but to share experiences, thoughts and ideas for cooperation to advance democracy.
"We have all come here as equals and not to impose a particular model on any of us. We are not here to debate on a commonly agreed definition of democracy for which I believe there is none," the head of state said in his address at the opening of the Bali Democracy Forum at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here on Wednesday.
"Indeed, we have come here to share our respective experience, our thoughts and our ideas for cooperation to advance democracy," he said.
Yudhoyono believed that what had brought the participating countries to gather in the Bali Democracy Forum was a common recognition that democracy remained a work in progress. "There is no such thing as a perfect democracy. Democracy is a never-ending journey."
This was certainly true for Indonesia, where democracy had been an endless process of soul-searching and trial-and-error. Since its dependence in 1945, Indonesia had tried out a series of political systems, Yudhoyono said.
Indonesia had experienced a liberal democracy that eventually collapsed. "We experimented with Guided Democracy under President Soekarno, Pancasila democracy under President Soeharto in addition to going through an authoritarian phase for several decades. All these systems turned out to be problematic," he said.
Now 10 years old, democracy in Indonesia was born in the aftermath of a financial crisis that gave birth to the reform movement. The country had made much progress in democratic transition but there was still much more to be done and therefore Indonesia would continue to evolve its democracy, drawing on lessons from the past, he said.
"In truth, our democratic experiment has been anything but easy. Indeed, it has been painful. We went through periods of instability, crisis, paralysis, uncertainly, conflicts, regression, self-doubt and polarization," Yudhoyono further said.
Some countries even predicted that Indonesia would be Balkanized - broken up into little pieces. "But we survived. We overcame. Our people kept their faith in democracy, despite all its imperfections and idiosyncrasies. As a result, Indonesia today is better, stronger and more united," the presdient said.
In the meantime, Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy Andri Hadi said the forum was designed to facilitate dialogues and cooperation in national capacity building of the participating countries and democracy and those aspiring to be more democratic.
The delegates from the participating countries would have an opportunity to share ideas on the implementation of democracy in many fields and their problems and ways-out. "This is not an exclusive forum among democracies, but an open forum of countries in Asia to share experiences and best practices in fostering democracy," he said.
"It is also expected to strengthen democratic institutions at national level and therefore, it will also bridge the gaps in political development in Asia," Andri said.
In between the annual forums, there would be monthly technical workshops for senior government officials and experts to share ideas and experiences in efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, he said.
Therefore, the main theme of the forum was "Building and Consolidating Democracy as a Strategic Agenda for Asia," he said.
About the outcome of the forum, he said it could take the form of a consensus on shared principles which the Bali Democracy Forum would promote.
To support the activities of the forum, Indonesia had established an Institute for Peace and Democracy located in the campus of the University of Udayana, Bali. The institute is an independent, non profit organization under the patronage of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Aside from organizing technical workshops, the institute would also conduct studies and research work, establish a network of experts and related organizations and publish papers and periodicals.
According to Andri, the Bali Democracy Forum was an opportunity for governments to discuss issues of common concern such as regular and genuine elections, multi-party system in a pluralistic and tolerant society, effective parliaments, an independent judiciary, rule of law, protection and promotion of human rights, good governance, creating an active and vibrant media, benefits of an open and competitive economy that ensures social justice for all, forging strong and dynamic civil society, the role of professional military in a democratic society.
"We have all come here as equals and not to impose a particular model on any of us. We are not here to debate on a commonly agreed definition of democracy for which I believe there is none," the head of state said in his address at the opening of the Bali Democracy Forum at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here on Wednesday.
"Indeed, we have come here to share our respective experience, our thoughts and our ideas for cooperation to advance democracy," he said.
Yudhoyono believed that what had brought the participating countries to gather in the Bali Democracy Forum was a common recognition that democracy remained a work in progress. "There is no such thing as a perfect democracy. Democracy is a never-ending journey."
This was certainly true for Indonesia, where democracy had been an endless process of soul-searching and trial-and-error. Since its dependence in 1945, Indonesia had tried out a series of political systems, Yudhoyono said.
Indonesia had experienced a liberal democracy that eventually collapsed. "We experimented with Guided Democracy under President Soekarno, Pancasila democracy under President Soeharto in addition to going through an authoritarian phase for several decades. All these systems turned out to be problematic," he said.
Now 10 years old, democracy in Indonesia was born in the aftermath of a financial crisis that gave birth to the reform movement. The country had made much progress in democratic transition but there was still much more to be done and therefore Indonesia would continue to evolve its democracy, drawing on lessons from the past, he said.
"In truth, our democratic experiment has been anything but easy. Indeed, it has been painful. We went through periods of instability, crisis, paralysis, uncertainly, conflicts, regression, self-doubt and polarization," Yudhoyono further said.
Some countries even predicted that Indonesia would be Balkanized - broken up into little pieces. "But we survived. We overcame. Our people kept their faith in democracy, despite all its imperfections and idiosyncrasies. As a result, Indonesia today is better, stronger and more united," the presdient said.
In the meantime, Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy Andri Hadi said the forum was designed to facilitate dialogues and cooperation in national capacity building of the participating countries and democracy and those aspiring to be more democratic.
The delegates from the participating countries would have an opportunity to share ideas on the implementation of democracy in many fields and their problems and ways-out. "This is not an exclusive forum among democracies, but an open forum of countries in Asia to share experiences and best practices in fostering democracy," he said.
"It is also expected to strengthen democratic institutions at national level and therefore, it will also bridge the gaps in political development in Asia," Andri said.
In between the annual forums, there would be monthly technical workshops for senior government officials and experts to share ideas and experiences in efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, he said.
Therefore, the main theme of the forum was "Building and Consolidating Democracy as a Strategic Agenda for Asia," he said.
About the outcome of the forum, he said it could take the form of a consensus on shared principles which the Bali Democracy Forum would promote.
To support the activities of the forum, Indonesia had established an Institute for Peace and Democracy located in the campus of the University of Udayana, Bali. The institute is an independent, non profit organization under the patronage of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Aside from organizing technical workshops, the institute would also conduct studies and research work, establish a network of experts and related organizations and publish papers and periodicals.
According to Andri, the Bali Democracy Forum was an opportunity for governments to discuss issues of common concern such as regular and genuine elections, multi-party system in a pluralistic and tolerant society, effective parliaments, an independent judiciary, rule of law, protection and promotion of human rights, good governance, creating an active and vibrant media, benefits of an open and competitive economy that ensures social justice for all, forging strong and dynamic civil society, the role of professional military in a democratic society.
