Indonesia

Indonesia has struggled to overcome the Asian financial crisis, and still grapples with persistent poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, endemic corruption, a fragile banking sector, a poor investment climate, and unequal resource distribution among regions. Indonesia is gradually recovering from multiple crises that have hit the country since 1997, including the December 2004 tsunami in Aceh, which claimed more that 150,000 lives in the country. Poverty rates are still above pre-crisis levels. Overall, household food security has improved, except in some structurally insecure areas, while malnutrition rates remain high.

The Nias earthquake of 2005 and the Yogyakarta earthquake and West Java tsunami of 2006 are other examples of crises that have hindered a sustainable lifestyle in Indonesia. Almost 500,000 of the most vulnerable people in the tsunami-hit areas of Aceh and Nias have received monthly food rations from the World Food Program while another 70,000 in the Yogyakarta area have received supplementary food assistance. Food has also been given to malnourished children and their mothers, to tuberculosis patients in exchange for treatment, and to people displaced by ethnic conflict, so that they may settle down and rebuild their livelihoods.

These natural disasters destroyed a number of schools, roads and water and sanitation systems, and more than half a million people were displaced. The disasters have affected Indonesia, and subsequent outbreaks of polio and avian influenza have infected citizens as well.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel thanks to donors and NGOs that have been graciously assisting Indonesia with its disaster mitigation and early warning efforts. UNICEF has played a key role in delivering humanitarian assistance to women and children. And the World Bank continues to provide financial resources and technical expertise to support programs aimed at fighting poverty within the nation.

The Indonesian government’s has a poor human rights record due to the continued number of serious abuses including murders, torture, rape, beatings, and arbitrarily detaining civilians and members of separatist movements. The areas of concern in Indonesia include impunity for past human rights violations, the slow pace of military reform, imposition of the death penalty, and infringements on freedom of expression and religious freedom.

Despite significant international pressure and interest, trials of senior Indonesian officers at an ad hoc human rights court in Jakarta have failed to give a credible judicial accounting for atrocities committed in East Timor in 1999. In March 2006 the Supreme Court rejected the appeal of Eurico Guterres, the only person convicted at the ad hoc court in Jakarta. He started serving his 10-year prison sentence in May.

In addition, there has been little done concerning military reform and some government officials continue to actively resist measures to bring soldiers before civilian courts to answer for non-military crimes. The Indonesian military continues to raise money outside the government budget through a sprawling network of legal and illegal businesses, by providing paid services, and through acts of corruption such as mark-ups in military purchases. This self-financing undermines civilian control, contributes to abuses of power by the armed forces, and impedes reform.

Human rights violations in Indonesia’s northwest Aceh province have decreased significantly since an August 2005 ceasefire and peace agreement between the government and rebels of the Free Aceh Movement. For many years, the Indonesian army brutally killed people in the area and targeted anyone who reported on the human rights situation to ensure that there were no witnesses to the excesses of the security forces. On July 11, 2006, Indonesia’s national parliament passed the Law on Aceh Governance, which implemented the peace agreement. Although the law establishes a human rights court for the province, the court cannot address any of the myriad past human rights crimes that accompanied three decades of armed conflict in the province. The law establishes a truth and reconciliation commission to examine events of the past.

Disputes over land and forced evictions continue to be a frequent source of conflict in Indonesia as well. Security forces often demolish homes and destroy personal property without notice, due process, or compensation, and residents often are ill-treated. Women, children, and rural migrants typically suffer particularly severe long-term consequences, including impairment of their ability to earn a livelihood or to attend school.

More than 688,000 children, mainly girls, are estimated to work as domestic workers in Indonesia. Typically recruited between the ages of 12 and 15, and often on false promises of decent wages and working conditions, girls may work 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, and earn far less than the prevailing minimum wage. In the worst cases, child domestics are paid no salary at all and are physically and sexually abused.

Indonesia stands at a crossroads in its HIV/AIDS epidemic. Like several of its Asian neighbors, Indonesia had low HIV prevalence until the late 1990s, when the situation began to change rapidly. Massive economic and political disruption in recent years has produced dramatic changes in Indonesia’s national-risk environment. The country is experiencing new, rapidly developing sub-epidemics in several provinces and communities. Indonesia now perceives HIV/AIDS as a serious threat to its national development and prosperity.

One of the primary reasons for the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS is the widespread commercial sex work. There are an estimated 190,000-270,000 female sex workers, and clients of sex workers number approximately 7-10 million, with condom use estimated at less than 10%. The majority of infections are concentrated in groups with high-risk behavior, particularly sex workers and injecting drug users. HIV transmission in Indonesia was initially related to sexual transmission, but transmission among injecting drug users has increased eight-fold since 1998.

Meanwhile, HIV prevalence as high as 48% has been found in drug injectors at rehabilitation centers in Jakarta. Most of these drug users are young, relatively well-educated and live with their families. Experts warn that if risk behaviors among drug injectors, among male, female and transgender sex workers, and among clients of sex workers do not change from the levels observed in surveillance performed in 2003, Indonesia will be seeing a far worse epidemic.

Additionally, Indonesia has a problem with occupational lung disease caused primarily by air pollution from motor vehicle emissions and industrial smoke. The industrial air pollutants levels in large cities in Indonesia have exceeded the acceptable level, especially in industrial trade and heavy traffic areas. The level of dust in some industrial areas exceeded the standard level and correlated with respiratory problems. The existence of industry caused by air pollution in the environment increased the incidence of obstructive airway diseases.

Between 1980 and 2001, the population of Indonesia grew 46%, from 147 million to 215 million making it the fourth most populous country in the world. During this period of demographic and economic change, a broad array of environmental and natural resource legislation was enacted. Because it was not rigorously enforced, however, Indonesia experienced significant environmental degradation during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Asian financial crisis of 1997 and 1998 worsened Indonesia's environmental problems. While attempting to rejuvenate local enterprises, Indonesia set aside its regulations on industrial behavior. Because of this change, local firms began to pursue cheaper but more environmentally damaging production and harvesting methods. Additionally, the lack of clear authority among Indonesia's central, regional and local governments helped produce weak regulatory institutions.

The scope of Indonesia's environmental problems is large and unfortunately, the natural environment is deteriorating on all fronts. One of the largest problems in the country is the escalating number of occurrences of illegal logging of Indonesia's forests. This problem stems from the relative poverty of much of Indonesia's population, the abundance of timber, and the weakness of enforcement against such action. The deforestation that results from unregulated logging is closely linked with floods and landslides. One such landslide caused the deaths of at least 150 people in November 2003. Illegal logging is also linked to Indonesia's very serious air pollution problem. The slash and burn tactic exacerbate already high levels of emissions from industry and motor vehicles, leading to levels of smog and air pollution that have affected neighboring countries. Deforestation is also associated with industrial runoff that pollutes Indonesia's water supply.

Motor vehicles are one of the chief sources of air pollution in Indonesia. Many of these vehicles are motorcycles or scooters, which lack the catalytic converters required for cleaner emissions. Moreover, almost no motor vehicles in Indonesia use unleaded gasoline. Instead, the vast majority of these vehicles rely on either leaded gasoline or diesel fuel, leading to unhealthily high concentrations of airborne lead.

Also, Indonesia's water quality is deteriorating due to the lack of sewerage systems in urban areas. Few Indonesian cities possess even minimal sanitation systems. The absence of an established sanitation network forces many households to rely upon private septic tanks or to dispose of their waste directly into rivers and canals. The commonality of the latter practice has led to significant contamination of Indonesia's surface and groundwater, as well as to repeated epidemics of gastrointestinal infections.

In Indonesia, 87.9% of the population at the age 15 and over can read and write. The male literacy rate is considerably higher at 92.5% percent than the female rate which is only about 83.4%.

National education is important in Indonesian culture and is believed to enhance the people's intellectual life, dignity and values. To achieve the targets and policies in national education, some main programs have been implemented, covering: the development of: (1) primary education; (2) secondary education; (3) higher learning institutions; (4) extramural education, (5) services education; and (6) teachers and other personnel.

In the efforts to overcome economic crisis, the government has distributed educational and financial aid through these main programs in order to assist students who come from low income families to prevent drop outs. The government has also taken several drastic measures to reduce the impact of recession on education, including allocating special funds to help millions of needy students, teachers and schools. School children may now attend school without wearing uniforms, as previously required.

ETAN - East Timor and Indonesia Action Network - ETAN is a U.S.-based grassroots organization working in solidarity with the peoples of East Timor and Indonesia. ETAN educates, organizes, and advocates for human rights, women's rights, societal and economic justice, democracy and genuine self-determination in East Timor. ETAN works for justice for historic and ongoing crimes against humanity, war crimes, and human rights violations in East Timor and Indonesia.

FMCH - Foundation for Mother and Child Health - The FMCH works to improve the lives of mothers and children in local communities by providing long term programs focused on health, nutrition, education, and sustainable skills training. The organization’s aim is to help children reach their potential by alleviating poverty and malnutrition. It is a not-for-profit independent organization working with socially and/or financially disadvantaged communities regardless of their race, creed or gender. The centre currently provides access to health, hygiene and nutrition education for mothers and community health workers, access to medical care for both mothers and children, Early Childhood learning, nutrition programs and growth monitoring for young children.

Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation - Founded in 1970, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation has become the strongest NGO in Indonesia that aims to promote the principle of democracy, human rights, and justice. Right now the organization has 14 branches and 7 posts spread from Banda Aceh through Papua. As a civil society organization, it thinks that the state administration must be based on the protection and efforts to secure the fulfillment of people's fundamental freedom and their economic, social and cultural right. All of these should end in the establishment of a social system that upholds the principles of social justice, human rights and democratic values. These principles should be framed within a state administration that implements people's welfare and provides the utmost space for the growth and development of the people’s power.

Klub Indonesia Hijau - KIH is an Indonesian Non Profit Organization which concentrates on the Conservation Movement through Environmental Education. KIH is an environmental program which uses a "learning by doing approach" in order to make the program easy to understand and to create a different attitude about the environment. There are 12 Regions of KIH that work throughout Indonesia in order to network and more cohesively spread the word about a healthier, greener earth.

Pakta Foundation of Indonesia – The Pakta Foundation is a non profit organization, which has focused on institutional development and capacity building for local organization partners. The foundation wished to strengthen the civil society in Indonesia with the spirit of equality and transparency. The group has focused on strengthening the institutions and increasing the capacity of human resources based on our vision, mission and values. The Pakta Foundation’s vision is to become a public interest group that can serve as agent of change on the local, regional and national level while creating a strong, equal and democratic civil society.

Peace Brigades International - A non-governmental organization which protects human rights and promotes nonviolent transformation of conflicts. When invited, the group sends teams of volunteers into areas of repression and conflict. The volunteers accompany human rights defenders, their organizations and others threatened by political violence. The presence of volunteers backed by a support network helps to deter violence. This organization creates space for local activists to work for social justice and human rights.

Sapa Persada Indonesia – The mission of Sapa Persada is to empower those that have been victim to disaster and social conflict in remote areas. The organization seeks to provide valid and reliable data about people in natural disasters and social conflict areas and people living in remote areas, and to distribute them among potential resources in government and private sectors. Also, the group wishes to facilitate an emergency response and rehabilitation efforts for people in natural disasters and social conflict areas. Lastly, Sapa Persada aims to facilitate efforts to empower target groups for self-help and self sufficiency.

United Nations Development Program - UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. The organization is present in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. The group’s focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: Democratic Governance, Poverty Reduction, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, Energy and Environment, and HIV/AIDS. UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively and integrates information and communications technology for development into its work in democratic governance and poverty reduction. In all our activities, UNDP promotes the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.

UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

URDI - Urban & Regional Development Institute - URDI is an independent nonprofit organization that improves the quality of life in urban and rural Indonesia. Recent projects include joint action research on the solid waste management system in Jakarta, Indonesia, and advancing action in the informal economy in Indonesia with a special emphasis on young people.

World Health Organization – a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its major task is to combat disease, especially key infectious diseases, and to promote the general health of the peoples of the world. As well as coordinating international efforts to monitor outbreaks of infectious disease such as SARS, malaria, and AIDS, it also has programs to combat such diseases, by developing and distributing vaccines.

Heartland International - This organization implements and manages political, economic and social development projects, as well as international education exchange programs. Heartland International is committed to fostering democratic values in a complex and ever-changing world. Its programs focus on NGO capacity building; sustainable economic development; civic education; the role of political parties in a democracy; transparency in government; human rights; and civil society building in Africa, Asia, the NIS and Central and Eastern Europe. Volunteers can welcome the world into their home as a Heartland International home-stay volunteer for professional program participants from Indonesia and Kazakhstan. Program participants are engaged in a full day of activities at Heartland International; home-stay volunteers provide a welcoming home in the evenings.

International Humanity Foundation - International Humanity Foundation focuses on educating and feeding children who come from the most marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds. IHF has set up orphanages in Kenya, Indonesia and Thailand and seeks to provide a way for all children there to get an education. IHF promotes self-sufficiency in the communities it works in, primarily focusing on the education, nutrition, and care of children. IHF encourages understanding and caring between people of all nations and religions in order to better prepare the leaders of future generations. The groups desires for every student in the United States to have communication with students abroad who are different both culturally and socioeconomic ally, in order for all students to be educated about the world in which they live.

Habitat for Humanity - International volunteers for Habitat for Humanity will have a powerful opportunity to educate themselves about poverty, housing needs and Habitat for Humanity’s impact in a specific region. They will also gain valuable experience in a variety of areas, including cross-cultural communication, understanding of global issues and learning new ways of living. They will be able to share professional expertise and stretch themselves as they apply skills in a new context and from a new perspective. There are a various number of volunteer opportunities and these projects will help to build capacity in many areas of the organization, including administration, communications, finance, programs, resource development and training. Specialized construction positions (supervisors, trainers, foremen, etc.) are also necessary.

Peace Brigades International - Founded in 1981, Peace Brigades International is a non-violent, non-partisan, human rights organization. PBI sends teams of volunteers into areas of violent conflict and utilizing strategies such as protective accompaniment seeks to widen the space for civil society to peacefully flourish. PBI teams are sent upon request from local organizations and activists who are being threatened or persecuted for their work. PBI attempts, through establishment of an international presence, to reduce violence and injustice and promote peace and respect for human rights.

Seoul Youth Center for Cultural Exchange - MIZY Center, currently operated by Korean National Commissions for UNESCO under the auspices of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is a specialized place for various cultures, a site of global exchange and understanding, and a forum where youths can share information. Now MIZY Center is looking for foreign instructors for the Integrated Education of World Cultural Heritage for the countries of Iran, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Spain, England, Italy, France, Poland, Brazil, USA, Peru, Egypt, Morocco, and Botswana. The Integrated Education of World Cultural Heritage is a program created to promote diverse cultural understanding among youths. It is a good opportunity for foreigners to introduce their country’s heritage to younger generations while being involved in cultural exchange activity in Korea.

The Activism Center at Wetlands Preserve - Wetlands, both on its own and in coalition with other groups has addressed worker oppression in Burma, Honduras, Russia, Indonesia, Haiti, China, and the USA, through demonstrations, civil disobedience, marches, public forums, production and distribution of literature, and other tactics. Anti-sweatshop interns play an integral leadership role in these campaigns. Interns must be able to act as liaison to other local and national anti-sweatshop groups, work with the North American Wilderness Campaigner to organize demonstrations, run information booths and speak at anti-sweatshop events, and serve as resource person on sweatshop issues, addressing inquiries, disseminating resources developing files, and collecting anti-sweatshop books, videos, and literature.

VIBE Foundation - The VIBE Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Indonesia and the US as a project of IHCenter. Its mission is to provide free English courses in rural schools in Bali and Java through our volunteer program. The foundation runs programs twice each year, once in February and again in August. The programs run from 4 to 4 1/2 months where volunteers live with families in rural areas of Bali and Java, and teach in local schools. VIBE provides a 10-day orientation, Indonesian language courses, food, housing, and visa support for its volunteers. Aside from placing English teachers, VIBE also offers several other opportunities for volunteers who are interested in teaching arts or environmental issues through English.

VIA- Yayasan Dian Desa Volunteers in Asia - Dian Desa, which means "light of the village", was founded in 1972 to spread the use of appropriate technology to improve living conditions in rural Indonesia. Dian Desa introduces new ideas to communities, which are then refined and spread by villagers themselves. Dian Desa is active in many areas including clean drinking water projects, small scale industry, community based urban planning, and fuel efficient cook stove training and dissemination.

YDT- Yayasan Dian Tama - Founded in 1987, YDT has developed diverse activities and programs within the common theme of the productive and sustainable use of natural resources. Some of their core activities include utilizing charcoal technology for organic farming and soil improvement, developing charcoal filters for communities with limited access to clean water, women's empowerment, encouraging forest communities to conserve forest resources by developing small scale enterprises for the production and marketing of non-timber forest products. Volunteers are needed to act as liaisons with foreign funding agencies, translate and edit grant proposals, and teach English to the staff. Volunteers also lend ideas and implement improvements in project organization, community outreach, document and collect project data, develop own projects based on interest and relevance to YDT.

Youth Exchange and Study Program - YES is an innovative high school student exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This public diplomacy initiative, authorized by Congress in the aftermath of September 11, builds bridges of international understanding, especially between Americans and people in countries with significant Muslim populations. In a wonderful exchange of cultures and customs, high school students between the ages of 15 and 18, from Brunei, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Turkey, live as a “son” or “daughter” in an American family and attend high school for a school year or semester.