Government Study Program, Diponegoro University and the Institute for Education Research and Economic and Social Information (LP3ES) opened the second batch of democratic schools. This democratic school will be held for two weeks from 16 August to 29 August 2020.

“This school of democracy school is intended to bring together politicians, academics, journalists, and civil society activist to discuss the current problems of Indonesian democracy,” said the Principal of the LP3ES Democracy School and Assistant Professor on Government Study Program, Wijayanto.

Wijayanto said that Democracy II School was held thanks to the collaboration between LP3ES and Undip. Participants who registered no less than 652 people. Consisting of DPRD members, Academics, Election Organizers, Researchers, Political Party Administrators, Journalists, ASN, Community Leaders and Students from all over Indonesia.

From the number of applicants earlier, they carried out administrative and eligibility selection taking into account professional background, gender and region so that 40 participants were selected. Finally, 40 people were selected. Their backgrounds vary, some work as lecturers, students, election administrators, politicians, researchers and journalists.

According to Wijayanto, diversity is important because this democratic school was established with the intention of building a forum that could become a bridge for progressive actors from various backgrounds to meet and have dialogue.

“Diversity of backgrounds becomes wealth. This is because often each political actor speaks within the limitations of their own perspective which is influenced by their position,” he said.

Wijayanto said the existence of the Democracy School would also play a real role in efforts to invest in human resources.

The School of Democracy ended with seminar bringing together Prof. Emil Salim (Indonesian public figure), Prof Ward Berenschot from University of Asmterdam, Prof Didik J Rachbini (Chairperson of LP3ES), and Prof Budi Setiyono (Vice Rector I Diponegoro University).