UGM, University of Oslo (Uio) and University of Agder (UiA) carried out research on welfarism and democracy in Indonesia. The research carried the theme of Popular Control and Effective Welfarism (PACER), which is categorised into two groups: Power Welfare and Democracy (PWD) and In Search of Balance (ISB).
Dr. Pudjo Semedi, steering committee of ISB, the ISB together with UiA conducted a research in efforts to understand the balance of state role, market and civil society. This group also educates students in master, doctorate and post-doctorate programs.
“UGM and UiA have arranged academic and administrative scheme to create efficiency and research quality and international publication through competitive scheme packages in post-doctorate research, doctorate and master scholarships,” said Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM on Tuesday (17/9) alongside the Annual Board Meeting of PACER project in Multimedia Room, UGM Main Office.
Pudjo said in the implementation, the ISB program involved academics from Faculties of Economics and Business, Cultural Sciences, Law, Forestry and Social and Political Sciences.
Meanwhile, Prof. Purwo Santoso, steering committee of PWD group, said the researchers would assess democratisation in Indonesia.
“As we all know, Norway is a developed, peaceful country with great welfare, so, we learn from Norway about democracy and welfarism,” he said.
The research involves 18 universities and 24 NGOs in democracy across Indonesia, cooperating with UiO. “Survey is conducted together with pro-democracy activists and a number of Indonesian universities,” said the professor from FISIPOL.
Marianne Damhaug, Minister Consellor, Norwegian Embassy in Jakarta, added the cooperation is expected to be the door for Norway to establish cooperation with other Indonesian universities.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc.Sc., appreciated all researchers joining the consortia that brings together UGM, University of Oslo and University of Adger. They have dedicated themselves in the PACER project and have shown long term success in its first year. Through PACER, academicians from Indonesia and Norway work together and get to know better.
“This project is a strategic media to enhance cooperation tradition between UGM, University of Oslo and University of Adger,” said the Rector.
The PACER project was agreed on 28 November 2012. The cooperation will last until 2017, funded by Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry up to over NOK31 millions.