Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM gathered dozens of both national and international political experts to discuss political development and democracy in Indonesia after 20 years of reform. The International Workshop themed "Reflection on 20 Years of Reform in Indonesia" took place for three days from September 26-28 at Prime Plaza Hotel Yogyakarta.
Dr. Nanang Indra Kurniawan, committee head, explained the workshop was held to discuss further problems and achievements of Indonesia's democratization after 20 years of reform. "We try to collect important texts that can contribute to understanding this issue. Later on, the manuscripts will be published in a journal," said Nanang in a release sent to reporters, Monday (10/1).
He mentioned some of the experts who were present, including Prof. Gerry Van Klinken (The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies), Prof. Olle Törnquist (University of Oslo), Prof. Meredith L. Weiss (University at Albany, State University of New York), Prof. Purwo Santoso (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Dr. Max Lane (The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), Prof. Cornelis Lay (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Najib Azca, Ph.D (Universitas Gadjah Mada), Aris Arif Mundayat (Universitas Pertahanan), Prof. Stale Agen Rye (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Dr. Nicolaas Warouw (University of New South Wales), and Dr. Amalinda Savirani (Universitas Gadjah Mada). Moreover, there are also reviewers from UGM such as Dr. Wawan Mas'udi, Dr. Nanang Indra Kurniawan, Dr.rer.pol. Mada Sukmajati, as well as Prof Kristian Stokke from the University of Oslo.
A political expert from UGM, Prof. Cornelis Lay, stated that after 20 years of reform, people's understanding of democracy is still limited to electoral process rather than the substance and purpose of democratization that should be achieved. "Our understanding of democracy has experienced a drastic reduction. Democracy is now limited to 'elections'," he said.
The faculty's Dean, Dr. Erwan Agus Purwanto, M.Si., said the workshop could support the development of research results on politics and democracy as outlined in scientific journals. "It's not easy to write an academic journal. The most challenging task is to create good and high-quality writing with a good cooperation model."