Bali Democracy Forum, Indonesian contribution to new Asia
Wednesday, 11 December 2008 "The dialog between the Asian countries called Bali Democracy Forum is Indonesia`s contribution to get and enter Asia`s new dynamic era. This initiative is not only relevant but also supported by Indonesia`s friends," President Yudhoyono said in a press conference. In the last 15 years, the President said, there is a power shift, either in politics or in the economy, to Asia so in the next 10 to 15 years Asia could be a place for every civilization. "In the meantime, Indonesia`s long experience since Soekarno`s guided democracy to the Pancasila democracy in Soeharto`s era and the drastic changes 10 years ago caused Indonesia to deserve to host the forum," President said. The forum is the very first in Asia. "We can share our best experience and learn from the practices of others," the President added. Democracy is a moving process so it will still have the region`s historical cultural aspects despite the universal value, the President said. "Because of the impacts, any form of democracy has its own pluses and minuses. There is no perfect model that can be implemented in all countries," President Yudhoyono said. As for Indonesia, he added, it is important to find a balance and harmony because there are many debates and discourses about individuals and security, democracy and harmony and democracy and prosperity. "The holding of the BDF has nothing to do with the stronger hard-line movement. We have to respect each other and build tolerance, dialogs and a bridge between all of us, the community, culture, tribe and regions. Once it is torn apart, we have to pay for it dearly," the President said. The Bali Democracy Forum organized by the Indonesian foreign ministry, is attended by representatives from 31 countries, including three heads of state or government, namely Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Brunei Darussalam`s Sultan Hasanah Bolkiah, and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. All members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are participating in the Forum. Other Asian countries such as China, Japan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, PNG, Qatar, and India are also attending the forum. Non-Asian countries such as Italy, England, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Tunisia, the United States and Canada are also invited to the forum as observers. The forum is expected to be held annually and followed by monthly technical meetings at working group level. The Bali Democracy Forum would also be followed by the establishment of an Institute for Peace and Democracy to be based at Udayana University in Denpasar, Bali to support BDF`s activities and programs. (*)
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