Surakarta, Indonesia – The “International Conference for Democracy and National Resilience” held by the Center for Democracy Studies and National Resilience at UNS Tower, Universitas Sebelas Maret proved to be an illuminating and insightful event, with experts and thought leaders from various fields coming together to discuss the critical theme, “Election Integrity: A Framework for Guaranteeing Democracy Rights and Fairness in the Modern Era.”
The two-day conference, which started Friday night, September 22nd 2023, with Gala Dinner, continued with Conference on Saturday, September 23rd to Sunday, September 24th, 2023 with presentation, was a platform for robust discussions and knowledge sharing. It aimed to address the vital issue of safeguarding the integrity of elections in contemporary democracies, emphasizing the importance of democracy rights and fairness.
Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. H. Anwar Usman, S.H., M.H.
Chairman of the Indonesian Constitutional Court, Indonesia
Prof. Dr. Anwar Usman, renowned for his expertise in constitutional law, opened the conference as the keynote speaker. His address emphasized the crucial role of the Indonesian Constitutional Court in upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic principles in Indonesia.
Dr. Usman underscored the necessity of election integrity in preserving democracy and highlighted the Indonesian experience in this regard. He provided valuable insights into the legal framework surrounding elections and the challenges faced in maintaining their integrity.
Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, S.H., M.H.
Universitas Sebelas Maret – Indonesia
Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, an esteemed academic from Universitas Sebelas Maret, contributed her expertise on the subject. She emphasized the importance of continuous research and education to enhance election integrity and ensure that democratic processes are transparent and free from manipulation.
Prof. Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi
Associate Prof University Malaya, Malaysia
Prof. Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi, an Associate Professor at the University of Malaya, Malaysia, brought an international perspective to the conference. She discussed global trends in election integrity and shared her research findings on democratization and political reforms.
Glaser Henning Rainer
Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy, Thammasat University, Thailand
Glaser Henning Rainer, joining remotely from Thailand, represented Thammasat University’s Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy. He provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing election integrity in the Southeast Asian region, shedding light on the unique dynamics at play.
Hasyim Asy’ari, S.H., M.Si., Ph.D.
Chairman of the General Election Commission of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
Online via Zoom Meeting, Hasyim Asy’ari, Chairman of the General Election Commission of the Republic of Indonesia, shared his experiences and insights into the critical role of election management bodies in ensuring free and fair elections. His presentation focused on the practical aspects of election administration and the steps taken to guarantee election integrity.
Rahmat Bagja, S.H., LL.M.
Chairman of the Election Supervisory Board of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
Rahmat Bagja, Chairman of the Election Supervisory Board of the Republic of Indonesia, also participated via online Zoom Meeting. He discussed the board’s responsibilities in monitoring and safeguarding the electoral process, ensuring transparency and fairness in elections.
The conference concluded with a sense of optimism, as experts, scholars, and policymakers engaged in productive dialogues and shared recommendations for strengthening election integrity in the modern era. The event served as a testament to the commitment of Universitas Sebelas Maret and its partners to promote democracy and national resilience through academic discourse and practical solutions.
As the world grapples with the challenges of maintaining election integrity, this conference was a timely reminder that democracy remains a fundamental value that must be safeguarded through collective efforts and a robust framework of fairness and transparency.
