President Yudhoyono Inaugurates 7th Bali Democracy Forum

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated the 7th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) at Nusa Dua Resort, in Bali, on Friday.

The annual forum, since its initiation in 2008, is now being co-chaired by President Yudhoyono and the Philippines President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

It is the last time that President Yudhoyono will open the BDF before ending his tenure on October 20, 2014.

During his opening address, Yudhoyono emphasized that the implementation of democracy was not easy, but Indonesia could achieve a peaceful and constitutional transfer of power.

"No one said democracy was easy. But, time and again, when the next president is sworn in days from now, Indonesia will have proved, to our people and to the world, that we can achieve a peaceful and constitutional transfer of power," he noted.

Themed "Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century," the 7th BDF will be held at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on October 10-11, 2014.

Yudhoyono pointed out that political development, socio-economic progress, and public participation are the three essential and complementary elements that support a working democracy.

"They must all be present and working together to make a democracy viable. The more number of countries succeed in achieving all three of them, the stronger will be the democratic architecture in our region," he emphasized.

The president remarked that democracy without political development is a democracy at a standstill and akin to walking on a treadmill.

According to him, such a scenario means that institutions do not develop, reforms do not take place, and political capacity does not grow.

"Thus, in the absence of political development, we will end up with political decay," he stated.

Yudhoyono further added that democracy without socio-economic progress is a democracy that fails to live up to the people's expectations.

"It is the main business of a democracy to create opportunities for a better life for its people and to satisfy their common sense of social justice," he pointed out.

"Thus, when the people perceive no socio-economic progress, they may exercise their right to choose new and more effective leaders," he reiterated.

The president also pointed out that democracy without public participation is hollow.

"A healthy democracy is one where the public is constantly engaged in issues that affect them and one where their leaders are responsive to their needs," he added. (WDY)