Indonesia

The association first emerged in June 2006 when several IFP Indonesia Alumni met to discuss the importance of forming an organization to facilitate the work of alumni once they return home. The association was established in November 2008 after the second alumni meeting in Bali. As a cohesive organization, the IFP Indonesia Alumni group “Indonesia Social Justice Network” will work towards creating long-lasting contributions to the betterment of Indonesia.

Snapshot of Alumni Members

Since the program was launched in 2002, 168 Indonesian alumni have returned home and actively participate in various kinds of development projects throughout Indonesia.  Alumni work in areas such as local development, environment, education, health, governance and human rights. Most work in NGOs, universities, educational institutions and government agencies, some holding strategic positions in local government.  

IFP-Indonesia alumni with their varied educational and work backgrounds can serve as key resources for the social justice movement in Indonesia.  Their leadership and strong commitment to community are the qualities needed to serve as agents of change in Indonesia, using their awareness of social justice to help underserved groups. 

Past and Future Alumni Activities

In June 2006, IFP Indonesia alumni organized their first alumni meeting. This meeting, attended by approximately 30 alumni, focused on building the IFP Indonesia Alumni Organization. Alumni used this opportunity to focus on outlining the organization’s mission and objectives. In addition, they appointed a national coordinator, treasurer and six regional coordinators to serve as the Steering Committee. Those people are: Ridaya Laode Ngkowe (Coordinator), Asal Wahyuni (Treasurer), M. Jailani (Regional Coordinator; Sumatera), Ahmad Sabiq (Regional Coordinator; Java and Bali), Bobby Daniel Nalle (Regional Coordinator; Nusa Tenggara), Hidayah Muhallim (Regional Coordinator, Sulawesi), and M. G. Korebima (Regional Coordinator; Molluccas and Papua).

Since that meeting, some IFP Indonesia alumni have worked on:

• International Conference on Gorontalo Province, North Sulawesi. Cooperation between State University of Gorontalo and Center for Southeast Asian Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa. It was organized by IFP Alumni in Gorontalo who studied at University of Hawaii.
• The Folklife Performance of TO WANA, the indigenous forest dwelling people in Monorali, Central Sulawesi, in some cities in Indonesia. This performance was directed by M. Amin Abdullah, an IFP alumnus who studied Ethnomusicology at University of Hawaii.
• National Alumni Meeting. In November 2008, IFP Indonesia alumni organized the second alumni meeting titled “Shared Prosperity in a Changing World.”  This meeting was attended by 94 IFP Indonesia Alumni and 8 IFP Asia Alumni from China, Thailand, and Vietnam. The members of the Steering Committee were M. Firdaus (Chairman). Elis Zulianti (Secretary), M. Jailani, Encop Sopia, Sukiman Nurdin, Nelson Chin, I Ketut Surya Diarta, and Ardi Andono (Members). They were responsible for preparing the program and the process of the meeting.

During the Bali meeting, the alumni discussed issues that are currently main concerns for Indonesia. In addition, the meeting was a valuable opportunity to share their work, network with other alumni, and develop effective communication tools. The meeting also presented a special film and photography presentations of IFP Indonesia Alumni along with the launching of the first edition of the IFP Indonesia Alumni profile book.

The meeting resulted in the establishment of an alumni association called the Indonesia Social Justice Network and appointed four alumni as the Presidium. Their main responsibility is to coordinate alumni activities for the next two years. After that, they should meet and assign other alumni to be the next Indonesia Presidium.

During the meeting several Alumni also organized smaller initiatives, including Support Community: Coping Strategy in Dealing with Food Scarcity in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Research for this project will be conducted in 2009 by six IFP alumni from that region. Another project under discussion is the IFP Asia Regional Network.

Currently, the IFP-Indonesia Alumni Association has worked to unite IFP Indonesia alumni by developing strategies to connect alumni to each other through various media channels such as the website, mailing-list, and other publications.

Photograph