Indonesian Conference on Constitutional Reform

Agenda

International iDEA is holding a conference entitled "Review of Constitutional Institutions to Promote Sustainable Democracy in Indonesia" in Jakarta from 16 - 17 October 2001.

The conference's aim is to provide a forum for Indonesian stakeholders to identify the key challenges ahead in reforming the constitution. By drawing on a range of international experiences of constitutional reform, the conference also aims to help ensure that future changes to the Indonesian Constitution are designed and conducted in a manner that reflects the highest international democratic standards.

"Several month ago the approach towards constitutional review was cautious. But since President Megawati endorsed the proposal for a constitutional review in her recent national address on Indonesia's Independence Day, it is on everybody's lips. It is no longer a question of 'should we' but 'how we should' review the constitution" says Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar-Rajasingham, Senior Executive of International IDEA.

The event fits within the broader framework of International IDEA's constitutional reform programme in Indonesia, aimed at engaging public participation in the current debate on constitutional reform, and providing national stakeholders with a wider range of options and strategies to strengthen Indonesia's democratic process.

Six themes will be covered at the conference:

• Re-thinking the constitutional foundations to supporting the building of a sustainable democracy.
• Defining roles and relationships between the executive and legislature.
• Review of special constitutional bodies to ensure transparency and integrity in government - the roles of the Ombudsman, anti-graft commissions, Auditor General etc.
• Mechanisms for strengthening regional autonomy to support democratization.
• Constitutional guarantees for human rights and freedom.
• The role of the judiciary in constitutional adjudication.

These themes will be discussed in depth in a series of five plenary sessions and three workshops. International IDEA has invited international guest speakers from countries whose democratic experience offers valuable lessons to Indonesia, all of whom share extensive knowledge and experience in constitutional reform. These are: Gothom Arya, Commissioner of the National Election Commission, Thailand; Nicholas Haysom, Legal Adviser to former President Nelson Mandela, South Africa; Teresa Melgar, Director of Democracy Watch, Philippines; Dr. Mario Aguja, former Director of BARRIOS, Philippines; Gary Bell, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore; and Prof. Suhas Palshikar, University of Pune, India.

Distinguished Indonesian speakers from parliament, government and civil society will include Prof. Dr. Ryaas Rasyid, former State Minister of Regional Autonomy; Prof. Dr. HR Sri Soemantri Martosoewignjo, member of the expert team advising Ad Hoc Committee I of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR); Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, legislators and members of Ad Hoc Committee I; Satrio B. Judono, head of the State Audit Agency (BPK); noted human rights lawyer Dr. T. Mulya Lubis; Teten Masduki, director of Indonesian Corruption Watch; and Hadar Gumay, advocacy director of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro).

PRACTICAL DETAILS:
Conference dates: 16 - 17 October 2001, Tuesday and Wednesday Location: Grand Ballroom A, Kempinski Hotel, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10-11, Jakarta
Registration: Tuesday 16th October, 9.00am, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar-Rajasingham (International IDEA).

PROGRAMME

Day 1
Plenary Session I, titled 'Conceptualising Constitutional Foundations for Sustainable Democracy' will provide an overview of the crucial role played by constitutional reform in strengthening democracy in Indonesia. Plenary Session II, 'Defining Roles of the Legislature and Executive: Parliamentary vs. Presidential Systems', will focus on what is probably the highest priority on the agenda of constitutional reform. Plenary Session III, 'Ensuring Transparency through Special Constitutional Bodies', will conclude the day by highlighting the potentially critical role of the constitution in eradicating money politics.

Day 2
Start 8.30am with two consecutive plenary sessions:
Plenary Session I, 'Constitutional Guarantees for Human Rights and Freedoms' Plenary
Session II, 'Mechanisms for Strengthening Regional Autonomy to Promote Democracy' This will be followed by three workshops discussing themes presented within the plenary sessions.
Concluding Session: summary of the presentations by the workshop discussants and concluding remarks by International IDEA. End at 17.00.

For further information about the conference contact:
Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar-Rajasingham
International IDEA Jakarta Office

Address: Wisma Nugra Santana, 14th floor, Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav. 7-8, Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 570 0044
Fax: + 62 21 570 2626
E-mail: ideaindo@cbn.net.id