Bali Democracy Forum
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History of the Bali Democracy Forum
Ten years after Indonesia began to reform its government, it launched the Bali Democracy Forum, in 2008. The BDF is a yearly, inclusive and open intergovernmental forum in which democratic development, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, is discussed. [1]
The BDF was created out of a belief that the promotion of democracy is an integral part of Indonesia's foreign policy. BDF was initiated to help create a strong democratic architecture in the region through sharing of experiences and best practices by adhering to the principles of equality, mutual understanding and respect. [1]
In conducting the BDF, participants discuss democracy constructively regardless of political taboos and restrictive standardization. The high level of acceptability and interest of participants is a positive response to the inclusive BDF principle of putting each country in a unique position and prioritizing sharing experience and best practices in exploring democratic principles and values in accordance with the conditions of each country. [1]
To date, the BDF has succeeded in making democracy a strategic agenda for the Asia-Pacific region in realizing balanced economic and political development, creating peace and stability, and promoting the quality of human rights and humanitarian values in the region that is in fact the three pillars of the United Nations. [1]
Some of the wisdom of the Indonesian archipelago (Nusantara) became the principle of the BDF in regards to democracy, namely:
(1) that democracy must grow and develop on home-grown initiatives;
(2) democracy upholds the values of pluralism and diversity; and
(3) democracy is inclusive.
The development of the BDF
BDF I
BDF I was held on 10 and 11 December 2008. This Forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd - attended by 4 Heads of State/Government, with the participation from 32 participants and 8 observers. The theme of the BDF I was “Building and Consolidating Democracy as Agenda for Asia”.
This first forum put forward an engagement approach to create a sense of comfort among the participating nations. This first forum succeeded in making democracy a sustainable regional strategic agenda through strengthening democratic values and institutions that sustain the creation of democracy in a progressive manner. Consolidation of democracy through increased cooperation in the framework of 'sharing experiences and best practices'.
BDF II
BDF II was held on 10 and 11 December 2009. This Forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, together with the Prime Minister of Japan, attended by 4 Heads of State/Government, with the participation from 32 participants and 8 observers. The theme of the BDF II was “In Search of Synergy: Democracy, Rule of Law, and Development”.
The theme raised in BDF II was deemed relevant to the condition of the global community, which was in the midst of debt and financial crisis. With relatively stable growth, Asia was expected to be the engine of the global economic recovery. Political progress was considered important to create a balanced and conducive condition in Asia, as economic growth ultimately demands the enforcement of the rule of law and transparency.
BDF III
BDF III was held on 8–9 December 2010. This Forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with the President of South Korea, attended by 4 Heads of State/Government, with the participation from 44 participants and 27 observers. The theme of the BDF III was “Democracy and the Promotion of Peace and Stability”.
The third forum was held in the midst of a regional political crisis on the Korean peninsula. The Forum then agreed that democracy should be able to generate democratic dividends that can be felt directly by the community, including the creation of peace and stability. In the context of resolving a country's internal conflict, the importance of a dialogue mechanism that can ensure a peaceful transition of democracy was emphasized.
BDF IV
BDF IV was held on 8–9 December 2011. This forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, attended by 9 Heads of State/Government, with the participation from 40 participants and 45 observers. The theme of the BDF IV was “Enhancing Democratic Participation in a Changing World: Responding to Democratic Voices”.
The fourth Forum was held amid the wave of democratization and political change in the Middle East, commonly known as the Arab Spring. Democratization, triggered by the absence of a corridor for the Middle Eastern society to channel its aspirations, prompted the Forum to agree that the government could be more responsive to community demands and aspirations. The Forum also agreed that broad public participation in the formulation of public policies supported by information disclosure and transparency would foster deep-rooted democracy and maintain the sustainability of the democratic process.
BDF V
BDF V was held on 8–9 November 2012. This forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono together with the President of South Korea, the Prime Minister of Australia, attended by the Sultan Brunei Darussalam, the President of Afghanistan, the President of Iran, the Prime Minister of Timor Leste, the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Prime Minister of Thailand, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and the Deputy Vice Minister of Nepal. BDF V was attended by 37 participants and 48 observers.
The theme of the BDF V was “Advancing Democratic Principles at the Global Setting: How Democratic Global Governance Contributes to International Peace and Security, Economic Development, and Effective Enjoyment of Human Rights”. BDF V raised the theme of promoting democratic principles in global governance. The widespread demands of democracy in various parts of the world to date have not been followed by significant progress in promoting democratic attitudes in interaction among the international community.
BDF VI
BDF VI was held on 7–8 November 2013. This forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, attended by 3 Heads of State/Government, with the participation from 43 participants and 52 observers. The theme of the BDF VI was “Consolidating Democracy in Pluralistic Society”.
The theme of BDF VI is a reflection of Indonesia's experience and its projection of the problems faced by countries in the region. Pluralistic society is an asset worthy of consideration in democratic dividends, including in supporting the economic development of a country. The sixth forum also discussed the implementation of free and fair elections and strengthening democratic institutions.
BDF VII
BDF VII was held in the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua, Bali on 10 – 11 October 2014. This forum was chaired by the President of the Republic of Indonesia together with the President of the Philippines, attended by the Sultan of Brunei, the Prime Minister of Timor Leste, 42 participating countries, 45 observing countries, and 4 observing international organizations.
The theme of the BDF VII was Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century. The theme was expected to give an opportunity to the participants to explore various ways and means of effective and appropriate to form the structure of democracy in the region. The interactive discussion sessions had two sub-themes, “The Dynamics of Political Development and Socio-Economic Progress”, and “Promoting Active, Effective, and Meaningful Public Participation in the Democratic Process.
BDF VIII
BDF VIII was held on 10–11 December 2015 in the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Nusa Dua, Bali, bearing the theme Democracy and Effective Public Governance in the format of a General Debate and 2 Panel Discussions.
The Forum was officially opened by the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and was attended by 19 officials at the ministerial / vice-ministerial level. Overall, the BDF VIII was attended by approximately 250 delegates from 89 countries and 3 international organizations.
BDF IX
BDF IX was held on 8–9 December 2016 in the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), Nusa Dua, Bali, bearing the theme “Religion, Democracy, and Pluralism” in the format of a General Debate and 2 (dua) Panel Discussions.
The Forum was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and was attended by 26 officials at the ministerial / vice-ministerial level. Overall, the BDF IX was attended by approximately 237 delegates from 95 countries and 6 (enam) international organizations.
In order to show the practice of pluralism and tolerance in Indonesia, especially in Bali, in the program of the BDF IX, a field visit was conducted to Pondok Pesantren (Ponpes) of Bali Bina Insani (BBI) in Tabanan Bali.
The 10th BDF
The 10th BDF was held on 7–8 December 2017 in Banten, bearing the theme “Does Democracy Deliver?”. The 10th BDF was officially opened by the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and was attended by officials from 99 countries 7 international organizations.
The new initiative in this Forum was the organization of the Bali Democracy Students Conference (BDSC) that runs in parallel with the 10th BDF. The BDF Chapter Tunis was also held this year in Tunisia on 2 October 2017. The report of the BDF Chapter Tunis was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia during the opening session of the 10th BDF.
The delegates were welcomed and hosted by the Governor of West Java and observed a coffee exhibition at Gedung Sate. The delegation also visited Bekraf Festival 2017 at Gedung Merdeka, and visited the Asia Africa Conference Museum.
BDF XI
BDF XI was held on 6–7 December 2018. Bearing the theme “Democracy for Prosperity” as the continuation from the previous discussion of BDF X which believes that the growth of the economy, investment, business, health care, and prosperity are the result of democracy. Therefore, it is important to discuss further the role of democracy in creating a prospering society.
BDSC will also run in parallel with the BDF XI bearing the theme “Democracy for Prosperity: Youth’s Perspective” as well as the Bali Civil Society and Media Forum (BCSMF).[2]
BDF chapters
BDF Chapter Tunis
On 2 October 2017, BDF Chapter Tunis was conducted, a cooperation between the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Tunisian Foreign Ministry, and Institute Tunisien des Etudes Strategiques (ITES). BDF Chapter Tunis was attended by 50 participants from high-level officials and academicians from 5 North African Countries (Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt).
This was the first BDF held outside Indonesia, strengthening Indonesia's posture as a country with a moderate Muslim community committed to strengthening democracy through dialogue.
BDF Chapter Berlin
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation has organized the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF)-Berlin Chapter in Berlin, Germany, 14 September 2018. The forum which bore the theme “Democracy and Migration”, is a forum based on dialogues to share experiences of handling migration issues, democracy system in Asia and Europe, and the response of international society towards migration issues in democracy matters.
BDF-Berlin Chapter was attended by more than 120 delegates, among others from Germany Government, European Commission, Diplomatic Corps, academics, think tanks, and International NGOs from several countries namely England, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, India, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Armenia.
References
- ^ a b c d "BALI DEMOCRACY FORUM". www.ipd.or.id. Retrieved 2019-01-09.
- ^ "11th Bali Democracy Forum - Home". bdf.kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2019-01-09.