Republik Conference agrees on 20 formateurs, sets 3 mandates

Despite a venue cancellation by Universitas Indonesia at the last minute, the Republik Conference, a civil society consolidation forum, proceeded successfully in an online format. More than 200 participants from numerous civil society organizations engaged in nearly five hours of discussion, with up to 150 attendees also present in person at a cafe in Cikini, Central Jakarta.

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If we look back at the previous Republik Conference in Yogyakarta, this forum is no less extraordinary.

The forum reached a consensus on three core mandates to guide its future actions: the creation of a shared platform, the design of an organizational framework, and the formation of a pioneer committee. Sudirman Said, the General Chairperson of the Republik Conference, expressed gratitude for the energy and enthusiasm displayed by participants, noting that the momentum remained strong despite the logistical challenges.

Said highlighted that the forum maintained its characteristic bottom-up, collective, and participatory approach. He attributed the widespread unease among citizens as the driving force behind the gathering, emphasizing the need for public spaces to discuss national issues. "This is to remind that this republic does not belong to individuals," he stated.

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This is to remind that this republic does not belong to individuals.

Vice General Chairperson Jaleswari Pramodhawardani remarked that the venue cancellation did not foster pessimism, underscoring the palpable sense of citizens' absence. She stressed that discussions were intentionally held in public forums to structure interconnected ideas and translate them into concrete actions. The focus, she added, was not only on finding common ground but also on respecting differences.

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Today, a republic without citizens is keenly felt.

Secretary-General Yanuar Nugroho elaborated on the outcomes, explaining that the platform aims to unite diverse groups, while the organizational design envisions a network connecting various actors under a shared objective, rather than a centralized structure. He described a similar sense of unease among students, professionals, and youth, which this network seeks to bridge. Nugroho also addressed the third mandate concerning leadership, advocating for an institutional, collective, and values-based model as an alternative to pragmatic and self-centered leadership, aiming to restore citizens as subjects rather than objects of governance.

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You are not alone.