Indonesia's Democracy and the Road to Elections 2014

Venue: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS), University of Copenhagen
Øster Farimagsgade 5, building 18, 1st floor, 1353, Copenhagen K
Thursday, 27 March 2014, 15:00-17:00

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Copenhagen, in cooperation with Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) and Nordic Indonesia Studies Network (NISN) invite to a public debate on the topic of Indonesia's elections in 2014.

This year Indonesia is holding its national elections for the 4th time since democratization in 1998. The April 9th national and local parliamentary and July 9th presidential elections will form another milestone in Indonesia’s electoral history as the next five years will be crucial to show whether Indonesia will be able to progress with its ongoing democratization. The new leadership will have to handle many pressing issues regarding the country’s political and economic development. The currently most likely presidential candidates have vastly different profiles, indicating different routes for Indonesia to take.

The panel debate will address several of the key concerns in this context: the overall electoral process, voter behavior, the choice of political parties and potential scenarios for the outcome of the parliamentary elections, the field of candidates for the presidential elections and similar issues. The discussion will also touch upon the progress and challenges to Indonesia's democracy today, as well as how it should be addressed by the new to-be-elected leadership.

After the panel discussion the floor will be opened for questions and answers and public debate with the audience.

PANELISTS

  • Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Professor of History and Director of Graduate School, Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University, Jakarta;
  • Carlo Bonura, PhD, Senior Teaching Fellow, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • Vera Altmeyer, PhD Fellow, Department of Society and Globalisation, Roskilde University
  • Mark Philip Stadler, ADI PhD Fellow, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen
  • Moderator Flemming Ytzen, Journalist, Politiken