East Java Online Democracy School Produces Concrete Steps to Support Peaceful Elections 

By: Sanita Rini (She/Her), Program Officer for Preventing Violent Extremism INFID

(Caption: Eddy Supriyanto, Head of Bakesbangpol East Java Province when handing over souvenirs to one of the best East Java SDO participants in the East Java Bakesabngpol Office Hall)

Surabaya, 19 September 2023 – Regional Leadership of Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama (PW Fatayat NU) East Java and INFID in collaboration with Bakesbangpol East Java Province have just completed a series of Democracy School activities Online (SDO) from August 2 to September 19 2023. This SDO is platform online schools that encourage collaboration and joint learning for multi-stakeholders such as local governments, civil society organizations, religious organizations, vulnerable groups and minorities, in strengthening democracy to prevent violent extremism at the district/city level. 

On September 19 2023, the East Java SDO meeting was held offline in the East Java Bakesbangpol hall. A total of 26 participants from 5 districts/cities actively participated in this forum, namely from Gresik district, Lamongan district, Malang district, Sidoarjo district and Surabaya city. Participants considered that this SDO activity was very relevant to current needs which have entered the political year ahead of the 2024 Election. Apart from increasing sensitivity to issues of human rights, democracy, violent extremism that occur in their surroundings, SDO also became an active discussion space for the participants. 

Strengthening the gender perspective in implementing SDO East Java is one of the innovations implemented in this school module. This strengthening of the gender perspective aims to hone empathy and criticism, as well as encourage participants' alignment with vulnerable groups and minorities. 

Dewi Winarti, Chair of PW Fatayat NU East Java in her speech emphasized the urgency of justice for minority groups (micro minority). "Like women with disabilities, everything is truly accommodated, both issues of rights and equality must be communicated well. "So that we can develop the policies that are born well in our respective groups," said Dewi.

Encouraging fair policies for all requires commitment from all parties, both from local governments, civil society organizations and religious organizations. This commitment is part of strengthening democratic values, preventing violent extremism, and advancing human rights in Indonesia. Therefore, this SDO is here to become a strategic space to produce concrete inclusive programs, actions and policies. 

"The hope is that this SDO can encourage collaborative work at the district/city level, because it is important that collaborative work to prevent violent extremism and strengthen democratic values ​​be carried out at the district-city level," said Cepi Sukur Laksana, Head of the Social Conflict Handling and National Vigilance Division. Bakesbangol East Java.

Meanwhile, Sanita Rini, Program Officer for Preventing Violent Extremism INFID emphasizes the importance of solid collaboration between parties as the key to the success of efforts to prevent violent extremism. "Building collaboration between parties is the foundation of SDO, including how we involve vulnerable groups, minorities to jointly carry out movements and oversee its implementation," explained Sanita. 

(Remarks: Discussion on finalization of strategic issues and plans for change)

The collaboration of parties from these 5 districts/cities then materialized into joint action which resulted in 3 strategic issues in preventing violent extremism and holding peaceful elections. This joint action is first, the production and dissemination of creative content to prevent abstentions among first-time voters. Second, a peaceful campaign to prevent conflict and politicization of identity. Third, inclusive education. 

Closing the meeting, the Head of Bakesbangpol for East Java Province, Eddy Supriyanto, said that there were around 31,46 million votes that would be contested in East Java in the next election. The number of voters is estimated at 26-27 million, a very significant figure. 

“We understand that East Java has an important role in national politics. There are 26 provinces that still depend on East Java, including logistical needs for the IKN (National Capital) program. "Therefore, we need to maintain stability and security in East Java," concluded Eddy. 

SDO is a real contribution and an important step from INFID together with PW Fatayat NU East Java as civil society to maintain democracy. The 2024 election, which is the largest election in Indonesian history, requires full awareness from all components of society to be able to develop an empathetic and critical perspective. Thus, the hope of peaceful and participatory elections can be realized.