The Indonesian Peace Institute (IPI)- Interpeace Aceh Programme (IIAP) brought together key members of the political, diplomatic, security and civil society communities in a seminar in Jakarta aimed at strengthening Indonesian unity and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The seminar, entitled “Peace Processes in Indonesia”, was designed to help guide and develop current Indonesian processes, by showcasing peacebuilding efforts to date in Indonesia, and providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of these agreements, and the way forward.

Participants heard from Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who underscored the need for dialogue and mediation in peace processes, and the commitment of Indonesia’s government to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. Martti Ahtisaari, chief mediator of the MoU between the Government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), and Chair of the Interpeace Governing Coucnil also addressed the 200 guests that had gathered for the event, and discussed his involvement in the Aceh and Kosovo peace efforts.

Peace Process in Indonesia" Seminar in Jakarta. Photo Credit: IPI/Interpeace

Included in the panel of speakers on the prospects for peace in their respective regions were Indonesia Provincial Governors Karel Albert Ralahalu (Maluku) and H. Bandjela Paliudju (Central Sulawesi) and the Vice Governor of Aceh, Muhammad Nazar. Prof. Dr. Ichlasul Amal, Chairman of the Press Council, and Rosiana Silalahi, Editor in Chief of the widely popular national TV station SCTV and Dr. Imam Prasodjo, the Director of the Centre for Research on Inter-group Relations and Conflict Resolution also spoke on the role of civil society and the media in peacebuilding.

Prior to the seminar, a breakfast meeting allowed members of the diplomatic community to meet with seminar presenters and to be updated on recent developments on the peace processes.

The seminar was one of the components of the Indonesian Peace Institute (IPI) - Interpeace Aceh Programme’s (IIAP) work in Aceh province, Indonesia. The IIAP’s primary goal is to contribute to consolidating an enabling environment for the continued implementation of the MoU, while bringing about social reconciliation and good governance.