The task of the political section of the Netherlands’ Embassy is to foster and strengthen the existing excellent Indonesian – Dutch bilateral relationship. The recent visit of the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. dr. Bernard Bot, to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Proklamasi marked a historic moment in the relations between the two countries. Consequently, the Netherlands would like to intensify the present Indonesian – Dutch relationship through increasing ongoing activities or by undertaking new programs, for which an dialogue between both countries will be maintained and deepened.

The first responsibility of the political section is to keep the authorities in the Netherlands up-to-date about important political developments in Indonesia, such as the outcome of elections, new legislation, or important policy decisions. To that extent it maintains a wide range of contacts with Indonesian people, organisation an in particular the Government. Secondly the political section helps to maintain open communication with the Indonesian Government about developments in the Netherlands (or the European Union) that are important for Indonesia. Finally the section is responsible for the implementation of activities that are financed through developmental assistance in fields as governance, justice reform and human rights. Important focal points in this regard are: improving peace and stability in Indonesia and education.

Regarding Peace and Stability The Netherlands, both bilaterally as in the framework of the European Union, will engage in close dialogue with the Indonesian government and civil society on relevant developments in this field, such as the peace process in Aceh, the reform of the security sector or human rights. In the educuation sector an entirely new programme is being developed and new commitments will be made in 2006.

• Human Rights and Media
• Reform of the Security Sector
• Supporting Peace in Aceh
• Supporting Legal Reform and Anti-Corruption
• Embedding Democracy and Decentralisation
• Supporting Development in Maluku and Papua
• Education

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Human Rights and Media

The Netherlands policy is to protect and promote human rights and to strengthen the freedom, justice and dignity of every individual. Human rights are universal by definition and apply to everyone, everywhere at all times. As such the European Union monitors the human rights situation in Indonesia. The Netherlands supports several human rights organisations through capacity building programs (such as PBHI). In addition Netherlands’ assistance focuses on the development and strengthening of media in Indonesia because media plays an important role in deepening the democratisation process in Indonesia.

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Reform of the Security Sector

The Netherlands supports the modernisation and democratisation of the Indonesian security sector as outlined by the Government of Indonesia. The Indonesian police is being assisted through IOM in their reform agenda on community policing and human rights. The Netherlands is also one of the bigger investors in the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Co-operation (JCLEC) as part of the Indonesian counter-terrorism activities.

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Supporting Peace in Aceh

The Netherlands fully supports the current peace process in Aceh. It has provided 10 Netherlands’ monitors and a financial contribution to the EU and ASEAN-led Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). Within the framework of the EU, the political section will closely monitor this peace process and identify options for further support in the future.

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Supporting Legal Reform and Anti-Corruption

Through the World Bank and the Partnership for Governance Reform the Netherlands is investing in the reform agenda of the Indonesian Justice Sector. The most important partner in the justice sector program is the Indonesian Supreme Court. For the Supreme Court a Dutch funded program has played a major role in the so-called ‘Blueprints’ for reform of the Supreme Court, and in setting up the Anti-Corruption Commission and -Court.

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Embedding Democracy and Decentralisation

The Indonesian policies to develop and deepen democracy in Indonesia will be supported, especially with regard to the process of decentralisation. The political section has in close collaboration with UNDP designed a program aimed at the support of democratisation. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a program aimed at strengthening local governance is being executed.

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Supporting Development in Maluku and Papua

Local development and peace building in North-Maluku and Maluku through an UNDP program is financed partially by the Netherlands.Within the framework of the special autonomy law the Netherlands looks at possibilities to assist in the development of Papua. Such activities are undertaken in close collaboration with the Indonesian Government.

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Education

Promotion of cooperation in Higher Education and Research between Indonesia and Dutch partners is a high priority on the political agenda of both Governments. For this purpose, various cooperation programmes have started and the Memorandums of Understanding have been signed.

Through the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Jakarta, the Netherlands provides various fellowship programmes for Indonesian professionals. For further information please contact the  NESO website.
The Netherlands’ support to the improvement of basic education in Indonesia increased strongly in the last few years. This support is mainly channelled through multilateral organisations like the World Bank (focus on policy development, early childhood education, quality improvement and teacher training, access for quality education and literacy), the Asian Development Bank (focus on school based management and capacity building in Nusa Tenggara Timur), the International Labour Organisation (focus on technical and vocational education/training), and UNICEF (focus on life skills HIV/AIDS prevention and care in Papua).

 

Articles on Education

1. ' Dutch Education guaranteed excellence', Campus Asia, September 2008.
   

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